Cash Seized from Criminals Available for Community Projects

Community projects in Gwent are now able to apply to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for a share of £150,000 in cash seized from criminals and from the sale of unclaimed found property.

Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert's Partnership Fund will be open for bids from charities, voluntary organisations and community groups involved in activities that have a positive impact on their communities in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. The closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 22nd July 2016.

Each group will be able to apply for between £250 and £10,000 from the £150,000 available and will need to demonstrate how their project will deliver against specific areas of focus highlighted by the Commissioner which include preventing crime; protecting people from serious harm; taking more effective action to tackle anti-social behaviour; and providing better opportunities for some of the most vulnerable and excluded people in the community.

Since the Partnership Fund was launched by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner three and a half years ago, nearly £500,000 has been awarded to 150 community projects across Gwent. The money retrieved has usually been stolen or obtained through illegal means such as drug dealing.

Previous applicants to the Commissioner's Partnership Fund have made a positive difference to the lives of people in their communities thanks to the funding. They include:

• £9,250 to the Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) organisation to run anti-racism educational workshops with schools across Gwent;
• £7,988 for the Lylac Ridge Animal Learning Centre in Risca to work with volunteers and ex-offenders to redevelop a piece of land on their site and transform it into an area the whole community can enjoy;
• £7,280 to the Changing Gearz cycle project in Griffithstown to help them provide support, mentoring and accredited training to young people who have become disengaged from school or training or who are not in employment;
• £5,000 towards the production of a hard hitting educational film called 'The Good Drug Dealer' which highlights the devastating impact of psychoactive substances.

Urging community projects to bid for the funding, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, said: "I am delighted to offer yet another chance for community groups to apply for this funding which I know can make a real positive difference to people's lives. I am looking to fund projects which can support front-line policing in the prevention of crime and anti-social behaviour and which offer opportunities for people who are disaffected or disengaged. I want this money to have a real positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. It's fantastic to see the ill-gotten gains of these criminals being put back into the hands of the law-abiding majority here in Gwent."

The electronically downloadable application form and accompanying guidance notes for applicants can be found on the Gwent PCC website . Hard copies can also be obtained by emailing the Commissioner's office directly on pccpartnershipfund@gwent.pnn.police.uk  or calling 01633 642 200. The closing date for receipt of the application form is 4pm on 22nd July 2016.