The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is making available £400,000 to help communities in the region make their areas safer.
The money, which is made up from cash that police have seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, will be handed out to communities who want to invest in their neighbourhoods.
The scheme is now known as the Helping Communities Fund, but was previously labelled the Active Citizens Fund.
Its purpose is to support locally based projects which aim to make a positive difference and which make the West Midlands a safer place to live, learn or work. All funded projects will contribute to crime prevention & reduction, and community safety in the local area.
The Commissioner has provided each Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) with a share of the £400,000 budget to help fund community projects.
Launching the Helping Citizens Fund the Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner, Wasim Ali said: “I would encourage groups from across all areas to apply for funding.
“I hope the information on our website and flyers shows clearly the variety of projects that have already used this money that is being taken back off criminals and funnelled into the pockets of people who know best how it should be spent.
I hope the Helping Communities Fund will attract and support a wide range of organisations from our communities, making a real difference in improving neighbourhoods, reducing crime and producing a closer working relationship between local organisations and West Midlands Police.”
Chief Superintendent Kim Madill added: “I am really excited that the bidding for the Helping Communities Fund has now been launched.
“This fund is made up of money taken from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act which will be given out to support locally based projects in our communities across the West Midlands.
“Local people are also now involved in deciding which bids will be successful. This is a fantastic way of ensuring the things that are most needed in our neighbourhoods, which will have a positive impact on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour are influenced by local voices.”
Full information on the Helping Communities Fund and an application form can be found here
Back to News Archive