Biddulph shoppers queued up for free crime prevention advice and gadgets, as Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis dropped in to the town’s Sainsbury’s with a cash boost for the community safety initiative.
PCSO Peter Johnson has held successful crime prevention surgeries at the store for more than five years and with the help of Tony Worthington, chair of the community safety fund, has just secured a grant of £2,708 from the Commissioner’s People Power Fund.
PCSO Johnson holds regular Friday morning surgeries at the Sainsbury’s store and always receives a fantastic response from the public who are eager to learn how they can protect themselves.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, said:
‘The best ideas to reduce crime, social harm and anti-social behaviour often come from communities affected by those issues. That’s why, since 2013 I’ve increased the funding provided for simple things that make local areas safer and better to live in.
‘At the heart of developing the Commissioner’s People Power Fund and Proceeds of Crime Fund was listening to those who are closest to the problem and supporting their ideas with funding to try and fix things. I’m continuing this because the principle has been so successful over the last few years.
‘Tackling the issues, building community spirit and often reducing repeat demand on policing means providing that financial help at the most local level is really cost effective.
‘Biddulph Community Safety Fund and PCSO Peter Johnson are doing a fantastic job giving advice and help to local residents and I am pleased to see that the surgery in Sainsbury’s was well used.’
PCSO Peter Johnson added: ‘Shoppers are eager to learn about how they can protect their personal belongings from thieves. I give away small crime prevention devices and two of the most popular are card defenders, which prevent criminals skimming card details and purse bells, which alert the owner to any attempt to take their purse from their bags.
‘This award from the police and crime commissioner will really help me reach many more people with crime prevention advice.’
Great ideas for community safety solutions come from local people and the People Power Fund supports locally-driven community safety activities and empowers local people to find solutions.
The fund provides money to community groups and organisations to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and increase public confidence as well as improving community safety.
The People Power Fund, which made available £500,000 in the form of grants between £100 and £3,000, was part of £2.5 million total community funding from the PCC for 2016/17.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is seeing 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police going back into local communities, through grants of between £3,000 and £15,000. It is made up of money seized from criminals.
