A Madeley-based bicycle-maintenance scheme is on the right track after it received funding from Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
Officially opened by Matthew Ellis on Monday (30 June), ‘Upcycle’ has received £7,200 from the Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund.
Keen to nurture the young people’s interest in cycling, the Madeley Parish Council scheme will deliver after-school sessions at Madeley High School, teaching young people how to maintain and repair their bicycles as well as providing education courses on cycling safety.
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.
The bids have to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority area: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offending and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
Mr Ellis said: “One hundred per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. Schemes like this benefit both young people and the wider-community in a good way.”
Based in a mobile office within Madeley High School’s grounds, the sessions will take place during the week and weekend on an appointment-basis, whilst on Saturday mornings, the maintenance service will be extended to the local community helping build positive relationships.
Initially led by Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Johnathon Cartwright, the scheme will eventually be run by a self-employed trainer and three volunteers.
PCSO Cartwright said: “Youngsters need activities like this – it’s a great diversionary scheme.
“One of the best ways of improving young people’s behaviour is by supporting them and giving them the opportunity to be rewarded for their efforts, Upcycle provides both of these.”
The scheme already has plenty of support ranging from local primary schools, Madeley Residents’ Association and Betley, Keele and Madeley Locality Action Partnership (LAP) who have donated £389 towards the scheme, whilst Trent Vale-based Michelin has donated dozens of tyres.
The bicycles maintained can either belong to the young people or be donated by the community. The young people taking part then have the chance to take away a bike that has been ‘upcycled’ during their time in the scheme.
Betley, Keele and Madeley LAP Chair Ann Spilsbury said: “We see the Upcycle scheme being a crucial part in engaging with the young people in our area.
“It meets all of the criteria of working together at a local level and we are pleased to support this project.”
The next window for grants from the PCC’s People Power Fund will open on 1 August until 14 September. People Power applications need to be sponsored by the group’s local Neighbourhood Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer.
More details, including application forms and an animated video about the fund, are available now at www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
To find out more about Upcycle email upcyclebikes@gmail.com or PCSO Cartwright at johnathon.cartwright@staffordshire.pnn.po
lice.uk
