Community safety projects to benefit from £350,000 cash seized from criminals

West Yorkshire Mayor urges community groups working to improve public safety to bid for a slice of £350,000 of funding available from today (09/05/23).

Mayor Tracy Brabin’s Safer Communities Fund gives money seized from criminals to organisations that are making their local area safer.

Since 2022, the fund has supported 100 projects with over £1 million.

Now, community groups have until 9 June to submit their application for up to £8,000 from the fund.

The theme of this grant round is ‘Supporting Victims and Witnesses.’ The Mayor is urging West Yorkshire-based organisations with an idea for a project to come forward and apply.

Mayor Brabin said:

“We’re determined to create a safer, fairer West Yorkshire and have invested over £1 million of money seized from criminal activities back into our communities as part of that. 

“Our Safer Communities Fund is backing brilliant projects across the region that help make our local areas safer.

“If you have an idea for a project, we want to hear from you.”

Previously funded projects include:

• Bradford City FC Community Foundation, who are giving crime the whistle with their project providing sports programmes that teach crime awareness to young people.

• ‘In Your Corner’ is the brainchild of Northern Powerhouse Boxing, the first women-led boxing club in the UK. With over £7,800, they’re providing self-defence and confidence building workshops for women, girls, trans and non-binary people in Calderdale.

• 5 Towns Veterans are using a near £7,000 to provide mental health support to veterans and their families in Wakefield.

• In Leeds, Building Futures Together is providing opportunities to young people to build self-confidence, improve ambitions, and reduce anti-social behaviour, including teaching practical electrical and plumbing skills.

• Sky Positive Minds received funding to extend their mental health support with one-to-one coaching sessions for vulnerable women and girls from the South Asian community in Kirklees.