A village in Stoke-on-Trent has received backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund to create a new community café.
Penkhull Village Hall has been given £6,023 to open the facility that hopes to reduce the fear of crime among older residents through interaction with young people there.
At first, the café will be open one morning per week but will expand with demand.
Matthew Ellis has decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures should go back to local communities.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Staffordshire Police continues to strip criminals of their assets – hitting them where it hurts.
Mr Ellis said: “For the first time, 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. Places like this play important roles within local communities, helping bring people together and reaching out to vulnerable, isolated elderly residents.
“Ultimately, these types of project help increase public confidence within communities and people of all ages.”
It is also planned that the café will establish classes for older residents, such as arts and crafts, to help reduce fear-of-crime-based-isolation in the village.
Sue Pantin, Project Leader said: “This grant is making it possible for us to create something really special and long lasting in Penkhull. We hope our community café will help reduce the fear of crime among our older residents.
“We are very grateful for the financial support which is helping to bring both ideas to fruition.”
The grant will help purchase the café’s furniture, including ten café tables and 40 chairs and also pay for qualified teachers for the classes.
Bids for funding from the PCC’s Proceeds of Crime Fund had to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority areas: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offending and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
With different generations engaging at the café, it is planned that a project between local schools and older people will soon begin.
Entitled a ‘Personal History of Penkhull’, local school pupils are set to interview and engage with older residents to produce a free, local history book within 2014.
For more information, contact Project Leader Sue Pantin on 01782 416 162.
