Community groups across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have until Friday 25 October to apply for money from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Local Policing Fund.
The fund is a new initiative by PCC Matthew Ellis to support local projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The Local Policing Fund is providing a total of £250,000 to community projects which fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority areas: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offender and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
The first grant, for £15,000, was awarded to Newcastle Partnership against Business Crime (PABC) to pay for CCTV outside North Staffordshire Justice Centre to help prevent and combat crime in the town centre. It followed an increase in theft from shops in Newcastle town centre.
Mr Ellis said: “This is the first of many schemes that will benefit from the Local Policing Fund across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
“I want to make sure that a greater share of funding is spent by partners at a local level on solutions found by local people and communities.
“By spending public money better and working to common goals we can achieve more.”
Applications for the latest round of funding need to be submitted by Friday 25 October. They must be supported by the project’s local policing team, in conjunction with the local authority.
For advice about making an application, and to be sent an application form and guidance notes, groups should ring Emily Astles on 01785 232246 or email local.policingfund@staffordshire.pcc.pnn.gov.uk
