Cash seized from criminals set to be re-invested into West Yorkshire communities
Half a million pounds of cash recovered from criminals is to be re-invested into community safety projects.
Half a million pounds of cash recovered from criminals is to be re-invested into community safety projects.
Organisations across West Yorkshire are being urged to apply for the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, which gives money seized from criminal activities to organisations that are making their area safer.
Since 2021, the fund has supported 289 projects with over £2.4 million handed to groups.
Applications for this latest share of £500,000 open today (13 May), with grants of up to £10,000 available to bid for.
The newly re-elected West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, is particularly encouraging organisations working to tackle the priorities of the region’s Police and Crime Plan to apply.
These priorities are:
- Supporting victims and witnesses and improving criminal justice outcomes.
- Keeping people safe and building resilience.
- Safer places and thriving communities.
- Responding to multiple and complex needs.
Mayor Brabin said:
“In West Yorkshire, we’re using cash seized from criminals to help make our neighbourhoods safer.
“And now, we have half a million pounds to invest back into organisations committed to making a positive change in their communities.
“If you have an idea for a project, please apply and help us build a safer, fairer, more inclusive region for everybody.”
For the first time, the fund will also be open to projects delivering the Build element of Clear, Hold, Build (CHB). CHB is a framework developed by the Home Office to tackle serious and organised crime.
Organisations that are delivering projects in West Yorkshire’s three pilot areas, BD3 in Bradford, Harehills in Leeds, and Ashbrow in Kirklees, are encouraged to apply.
The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund uses money seized by West Yorkshire Police and prosecutors from criminal activities, through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, John Robins QPM DL, said:
“Our police officers and staff work hard to ensure that criminals do not profit from their illegal activities, so it is heartening to see the difference that this cash can make to local groups and projects who are committed to making their communities safer.
“It is also pleasing to note that applications are now being accepted from projects working in support of the Home Office’s Clear Hold Build framework - a tactic used by our Programme Precision teams and partners to disrupt those who are involved in serious and organised crime in West Yorkshire.
“Building resilience in communities blighted by serious and organised crime is key to addressing this issue, and using funds seized from criminals in this way sends a clear message to them that their presence is unwanted.”
Previously funded organisations include:
- Prism Youth Project in Bradford is using their funding to deliver education sessions to young people on topics including healthy relationships, consent, drugs, and peer pressure.
- In Calderdale, Invictus Wellbeing is working with Purple Moon Coaching to offer bespoke employment training for 18-25-year-olds.
- RABC Boxing Club is hosting sessions for young people in Kirklees, focusing on the dangers of knife crime and gang-related crimes.
- In Leeds, Bahar Women’s Association is using their grant to support women to improve their English language skills, as well as offering support when applying to healthcare services and passports.
- In Wakefield, SCARD (Support and Care After Road Death and Injury) are using their funding to support people who have been bereaved, injured or affected by road death or injury.
Applications close on 13 June 2024. For more information, including how to apply, visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/mscf
Katie Corfield, Managing Director of Prism Youth Project:
"The Freedom Project has empowered young people by building their knowledge and confidence around exploitation and sexual health.
“Through education and support, they've gained the tools to recognise, prevent, and address exploitation.
“Together, we're fostering a safer, informed future."
Rowenna Makaj, Transition Support Service Manager at Invictus Wellbeing, said:
“The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund allowed us to partner with Purple Moon Employment Coaching and provide our young people with the opportunity to build their confidence, skills and purpose when looking to enter employment.
“A number of clients, since completing the project, are now actively seeking employment. We see this as a great success as before their sessions with Purple Moon the young people told us they had little confidence in their chances of getting into the workplace.
“We are very grateful that we had the opportunity to apply for the fund, utilizing money obtained from criminal activity to help transform the lives of our young people for the better.”
Mark Reynolds, founder of RABC Boxing Club, said:
“Here at RABC Boxing Club, we’re dedicated to creating community champions, as well as champions in the boxing ring.
“We use the power of our sport, and the discipline that comes with it, to support young people to be a force for good in their neighbourhood.”
“The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has helped us to continue this work and reach more people in our local area.”
Maryam Bahar Khesrawi, Chair of Bahar AFG Womens Association, said:
"Thanks to the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, our Bahar Women's Association's initiative is equipping women with tools to navigate domestic violence, safeguarding, and positive parenting, fostering a supportive environment where they can understand their rights.
“By integrating these women into the community, we are ending isolation and building bridges between communities and services, addressing any barriers of trust and communication.
“Through our efforts, we're cultivating a friendly, empathetic environment where individuals feel understood and supported. Groups should consider applying for the fund to join us in catalysing transformative change and fostering stronger, more inclusive communities."
Zoe Hawksley from SCARD (Support and Care After Road Death and Injury) said:
“At SCARD we offer different support services to people that have been affected by road traffic collisions.
“We are using the funding we were awarded from the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund to produce a leaflet that we can give to people so that hopefully they will know that they are not alone in their feelings, thoughts, and experiences, and that we are here for them when and if they need us.
“This funding has also meant that we can offer more counselling to people that need it.”