Mayor’s Fund channels criminal cash into community

Mayor’s Fund channels criminal cash into community support across West Yorkshire

An organisation which supports ex-offenders to turn their lives around is just one of the many projects that has been awarded funding by the West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin. 

It is part of the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, which takes money seized from criminals and gives it to groups working to make the region safer. 

On Thursday, October 16th, a total of 45 organisations received a share of £389,861 to help them deliver their vital work to support their community. 

Among these was Mokkha CIC, which aims to break the cycle of reoffending by helping people who are leaving prison to reintegrate into society. 

The charity, which operates across West Yorkshire, delivers workshops to support people to find stable employment, as well as building confidence, resilience and a sense of community. 

Mokkha CIC founder and director, Stephen Pickard, said:

 “We are really grateful to the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund for their support.  

“As someone with lived experience of the criminal justice system, I understand how important it is to be given real opportunities to rebuild your life.  

“This funding means that we can continue to walk alongside others making that difficult journey - helping them make positive changes and build safer, stronger communities for everyone." 

Since its inception in 2021, the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has handed out more than £4.4million to 460 local projects.    

The funding comes from cash and assets seized from criminals by police and prosecutors under the Proceeds of Crime Act.    

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

“It’s always pleasing to take money out of the hands of criminals to put it back into our communities where it can have greatest impact.

"It’s inspiring to see so many people, working in their communities to create hope and opportunity, preventing crime, supporting victims, and improving safety across our streets to create a fairer, safer West Yorkshire."

The Mayor's Safer Communities Fund is made available largely thanks to the efforts of the West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit.  

You can find out more about the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund and previous successful projects on our website.