COMMUNITY groups are being called on to apply for a share of £180,000 to help communities across the region make their areas safer.
The funds, being released by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster, come from cash police have seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
The scheme is now known as the Helping Communities Fund (HCF), but was previously called the Active Citizens Fund.
Its purpose is to support locally-based projects which aim to make a positive difference and that 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.
Since October 2021, the Commissioner has provided each Local Policing Area (LPA) with a share of the £400,000 budget to help fund community projects.
Mr Foster said: “At a time when the cost of living is spiralling, it is right there is funding to support community organisations that aim to prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, promote community safety and support vulnerable victims in our communities.”
A new ceiling for applications of £3,500 has been introduced to enable more organisations to succeed from the funding budget.
Ch Supt Anthony Tagg added: “The launch of the Helping Communities Fund has enabled locally-based projects and programmes to obtain funding for crime prevention and reduction and community safety work across the West Midlands.”
He added many locally-led schemes were benefiting from the investment and the bidding process enabled communities to decide the best places for the cash to go.
“I encourage everyone to consider applying to help make the West Midlands an even safer place to live and work.”
The deadline for applications is midday on May 30 – late bids will not be accepted.
Decisions will be made by community panels from June 19.
Visit westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk for more on the scheme and how to apply.
