COMMUNITIES are being offered a share of £166,000 to help make their areas safer.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, is releasing cash police have seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and will be allocating it to those who want to invest in their neighbourhoods.
The scheme – now known as the Helping Communities Fund (HCF), but was previously known as the Active Citizens Fund – will see groups handed up to £5,000.
Its purpose is to support projects that strive to make a positive difference and which make the West Midlands a safer place to live, learn or work.
All funded projects will contribute to crime prevention and reduction, and community safety in the local area.
Mr Foster, said: “At a time when the cost of living is spiralling, it is right that there is funding to support grassroots organisations that prevent crime, violence and anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable victims in our communities.
“The HCF has enabled locally based projects and programmes to obtain funding for crime prevention and reduction, and community safety work across the West Midlands.
“The HCF also involves communities in deciding which bids are successful in receiving this money.
“I encourage everyone to consider applying, to help make the West Midlands an even safer place to live, learn and work.”
The fund, which has already seen more than £500,000 handed out to community groups across the West Midlands, is open to applications from today.
Bids, which are now submitted completely online, must be submitted by noon on December 29. Late applications will not be accepted.
Final decisions on those who have been successful will be made in February.
For more and an application form visit the PCC’s website. https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/helping-communities-fund/
