THE POLICE and crime commissioner of the West Midlands has invested in young people thanks to £150,000 of crime funding.
The cash has funded boxing sessions and learning life lessons from offenders serving time in prison.
A total of £150,000 has been allocated to over 40 community groups and youth projects across the county to prevent and reduce crime in their local communities.
The My Community Fund is made up of proceeds of crime seized from criminal activity, – PCC, Simon Foster allocates up to £5,000 to organisations intent on making communities safer and improving the quality of people’s lives.
Behaviour mentor Malachi Nunes runs youth service provider Ambitious Lives in Sandwell and he has been able to deliver impactful workshops on anti-knife crime, bleed control kit training and gang awareness.
Malachi said: “These workshops, supported by the PCC, have imparted life-saving skills to youth by teaching them how to effectively control bleeding in the event of a stabbing or severe injury.
“We’ve provided advice and guidance, supporting young people in making positive life choices and avoiding the dangers of youth violence and crime.”
Another group to benefit from PCC funding is Sandwell Asian Development Association. The fund enabled coach Imran Mohammed to put on a non-contact boxing programme for young people aged between 11 and 18.
Imran said: “Thanks to the PCC, we are now running two sessions a week for around 30 to 40 of our youngsters. We’ve also employed two part-time trainers as a result of the funding.
“I’ve got kids who have behavioural issues at school and at home, but boxing allows them to use their energy in a positive way.”
PCC Foster said: “Once again we’re seeing the crucial importance of the My Community Fund and the positive impact it’s having on young people in the West Midlands.
“The My Community Fund is an opportunity for me to invest proceeds of crime back into communities that have all too often had to bear the brunt of that criminal activity.
“From my perspective as Police and Crime Commissioner, it’s absolutely essential we believe in, engage with, listen to, work with and, importantly, invest in our young people.
“There is no better way of investing proceeds of crime than back into local communities, for the benefit of young people, to prevent and tackle crime. I’m currently preparing a new Police and Crime Plan for the West Midlands and that will be in place between 2025 and 2029.
“My pledge is that the best interests of young people will always be a top priority in all actions and decisions I take that affect young people in the West Midlands.”
