Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews is calling on rural groups to urgently apply for funding to support efforts to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour before the deadline passes.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC has made clear his intention to give residents a frontline role in his plans to build safer, stronger and more prosperous communities.
The first round of the PCC’s newly launched Community Action Programme (CAP) is offering statutory, voluntary and non-profit groups the chance to apply for exclusive funding to tackle and prevent rural criminality and better protect residents and businesses from rural criminals.
Machinery and plant theft, livestock worrying and fly-tipping cause untold damage and losses to local businesses and the economy and serve to heighten fear of crime.
As part of his commitment to supporting rural communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, the PCC has agreed to allocate grants of up to £10k to organisations dedicated to protecting the countryside from crime and helping people to thrive.
So far, more than £77k worth of funding has been applied for with just under £30k awarded so far.
Mr Matthews said: “This fund is about providing the resources and support our communities need to stay safe, feel safe and prevent criminals from exploiting our countryside.
“Our communities are full of passionate and dedicated people who offer the key to unlocking potential, deterring criminality and supporting people to thrive and I want to capitalise on their skills and understanding for the greater good of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“This is an opportunity to make a difference – please send in your applications before it’s too late and help support my work to make our city and two counties safer and stronger.”
Funding can be used for a variety of crime prevention tools and initiatives, such as:
- Equipment for rural crime prevention workshops that help to educate and engage residents
- Educational material for schools to promote awareness and resilience among young people and to reduce their risk of involvement in rural crime.
- Community equipment such as security lighting and motion sensors, lockable storage units, fencing barriers and security equipment.
- Vehicle tracking GPS systems to protect and track valuable equipment.
The fund is part of the PCC’s new flagship Community Action Programme designed to empower local communities to implement their own activities to prevent crime and support people to thrive.
It brings together a series of connected initiatives designed to equip small and grassroots organisations with the skills, knowledge and support they need to help residents thrive and to ‘prevent rather than cure’ crime and disorder – a strategy conceived nearly 200 years ago by the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel.
The Rural Community Action Fund is open to a wide range of applicants, including local groups, parish councils, neighbourhood watch schemes and registered charities. The Fund is open for bids until Friday 17th October 2025.
Further funding rounds will take place later in the year addressing the following themes: Road Safety, Violence and Vulnerability, Business Crime, Neighbourhood Crime and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). For full details on the fund and to apply visit: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Community-Action-Fund-Round-1.
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Posted on Thursday 2nd October 2025