One Million Pounds for Safer Communities from Mayor’s Fund
68 community projects across West Yorkshire are to benefit from over one million pounds in funding.
8th February 2024
68 community projects across West Yorkshire are to benefit from over one million pounds in funding.
The money, given out at an awards event in Leeds last night, is from the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund and will tackle issues such as serious violence, hate crime and support victims of crime and trauma.
The fund is financed through recovered cash and assets seized from criminals by police and prosecutors, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit play a crucial role in the work. It focuses on tracking down criminal ill gotten gains through offences such as fraud and drug dealing - a process which can take months, and in some cases, years of painstaking work.
A new video has been released which shines a light on the vital work of the Unit - from recovering millions of pounds of cash and Bitcoin, to seizing high value assets such as luxury cars.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I promised to deliver a safer, fairer West Yorkshire, and that’s exactly where this one million pounds is going.
“Every area of the county has groups of absolutely fantastic people who put their time and effort into making where they live better or helping people in need, and I am very thankful we are able to support them with these grants.
“This fund would just not be possible without the tireless work of the Economic Crime Unit, so a huge thank you to them for everything they do.”
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said: “The officers and financial investigators in our Economic Crime Unit work hard to seize the cash and property of criminals. By doing so they ensure that crime does not pay in West Yorkshire.
“Knowing that funds they have stripped from those that do harm to communities is put to good use through the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund brings tremendous satisfaction.”
The next round of the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund is due to open on 13th May. To find out more visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/MSCF.
The 68 funded projects included Chrysalis Youth and Community Project Airedale Motorbike Project, Hive Huddersfield CIC, Step 2, Bens Place, Victim Support and Sunnyvale Fishery and Outdoor Activity Centre.
Chris Madden, founder of Sunnyvale Fishery and Outdoor Activity Centre said: “The Mayors Safer Community Fund has enabled the Early Action Hub, West Yorkshire Police Calderdale Early Action Team and partners to run two core programmes aimed at reducing school exclusions and reducing first time entrants to the criminal justice system. By tackling ASB and providing an awareness of trending crimes committed in secondary schools, we are reducing the number of first time entrants to the criminal justice system and making Calderdale a better and safer place to live.
Neil Kennedy , Chief Executive Officer at Chrysalis Youth & Community Project Airedale Motorbike Project, said: “We are looking to target issues around anti-social behaviour, involving nuisance motor bikes. Hopefully with the funding we have received, we can change attitudes and channel young people’s passions into practical learning and create a safer environment.”
Gabrielle Hurt, Founder and CEO of Hive Huddersfield CIC, said: “We are thrilled to receive support from the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund. With this funding, we will empower our community by fostering inclusivity and providing essential resources to combat loneliness and promote safety for all in our café and community hub."
Pictured: from left to right, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, WYCCP Resettlement Service, Victim Support, Penguin Acting and Theatre Productions, and Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
Liz Robinson, CEO of Step 2, said: "Step 2 is a young people’s health charity that has existed for over 30 years, and has supported thousands of young people over the years. This project will target girls and young women who are neurodiverse or have learning disabilities, in order to help them develop positive relationships and reduce the risk of exploitation. The project will support them to improve their resilience, confidence and self esteem, and will raise awareness around exploitation so that they can identify unhealthy relationships and reduce their chances of becoming victims of exploitation or abuse."
Rob Balfour, CEO Bens Place, said: “The award of this grant will allow us to explore a holistic therapy program for male University students who identify as survivors of sexual violence. The project is called ‘The Hero’s Project” and will run for 12 months. The project will work in partnership with Leeds Beckett’s University Counselling Dept to meet the needs of male students faster with access to more psychological support resources including one to one counselling and group workshops. The aim being to not only support recovery and growth but also successful degrees completion. We would especially during Sexual Abuse and Violence Awareness Week, like to thank the Mayor, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, and their teams for supporting this important pathfinder for young male survivors.”
Pictured: from left to right, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, E:Merge, Step 2, Beyond the Margin, and Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
Ady, Victim Support Team Leader, said: “We are very grateful for this award from the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Safer Communities fund. Domestic Stalking is an insidious crime. Victims often have to collect lots of evidence themselves. This award will allow the Stalking Advocacy Team at Victim Support to distribute more cameras to victims and in doing so enhance their safety and collect evidence concurrently.”
You can find out more about successful projects at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/mscf-success.