Community groups across Derbyshire joined Police and Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts to celebrate the distribution of new funding to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.
A total of 36 organisations successfully applied for grants in the first round of the Commissioner’s new Safer and Stronger Communities Fund, each receiving up to £5k to tackle the public’s top priorities.
The successful applicants gathered at a special event hosted by the PCC at the Force’s Joint Training Centre in Ripley where they were invited to showcase their winning projects and formally meet the Commissioner.
The fund invests in community-based projects which aim to deliver against the commitments of her Police and Crime Plan shaped by our residents. These key priority areas incorporate the issues that local people have told her are important to their safety. They comprise serious violence including violence against women and girls; anti-social behaviour and community safety; neighbourhood policing; bringing offenders to justice; drug dealing and substance misuse; and supporting victims and safeguarding.
In addition, she has pledged to tackle rural crime as Chair of the Derbyshire Partnership Against Rural Crime; Online safety as the National APCC Joint Lead for Cyber and Economic Crime, Fraud and Online Safety; and Road Safety, specifically speeding as a strategic partner in the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership. This issues remain key concerns for the public and are frequently raised during the Commissioner’s ongoing engagement activities.
Projects funded through the scheme include creative sessions to divert young people away from serious violence and enhanced support for women fleeting violence and domestic abuse. Other initiatives include interactive educational experiences to prevent substance misuse among young people and a support scheme to help victims of modern slavery rebuild their lives.
Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “It was wonderful to meet the faces behind these exciting projects and understand how the funding will help build strength and resilience within individuals, families and communities.
“There is a great deal of passion and enthusiasm out there for making Derbyshire safer and stronger, and it was uplifting to hear the personal stories motivating people to give back to their communities and make a difference.
“This Fund is about getting our communities onboard with our wider work to reduce crime and help local people thrive. The priorities in my Police and Crime Plan are the public’s priorities and I truly believe our communities have a valuable and effective role to play in developing solutions.
“The scope of these projects is purposely wide to take account of the different risks and issues that make people feel unsafe. I look forward to reporting positive results in due course.”
The next round is now open, click here for further information and an application form. Please note previous successful applicants will not be awarded a second grant.
For the full list of grant recipients in this round, please visit the PCC’s website at: www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/homepage/safer-and-stronger-communities-fund/.
