Voluntary groups connected with MK among charities set to get cash in second round of this year’s police Community Fund.
A group that installs trauma kits around Milton Keynes, a local children’s charity and two young crime help organisations are among a raft of bodies that have received money in the latest Police & Crime Commissioner awards.
Over £200,000 has been made available to community projects supporting local Thames Valley Police priorities. The Community Fund provides funds to voluntary groups that help to achieve the objectives of the PCC’s Police and Criminal Justice Plan. Cash for the scheme comes from the sale of stolen property that cannot be returned to its original owner.
More than 180 organisations applied for funding of which 43 were successful across the Thames Valley region.
They included Citizen Aid Jay Fathers, a Wolverhampton-based organisation that installs trauma kits around Milton Keynes and trains local communities on how to use them.
KidsOut UK was also awarded funds. Based in Leighton Buzzard, its project provides toy boxes to children in domestic abuse refuges in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Kingdom Power International Ministries and Somali Outreach Project are Milton Keynes-based organisations. Kingdom Power applied for funding to support a project related to knife crime while Somali Outreach diverts young people away from crime.
“I’m pleased to be able to award this funding – taken from criminals by our hard-working officers – and put it back into our fight against crime,” said Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.
“These organisations know their communities, engage with local policing teams and work to protect people and address local concerns. It’s even better knowing we’re using money taken from criminals, to support projects that will really benefit local residents.
“Our communities will benefit in a number of ways including interventions to support prison leavers and reduce re-offending, support for victims of domestic abuse and several projects to divert young people away from crime.”
“This funding will ensure community and voluntary organisations can continue to run projects that play an important role in preventing crime and protecting our communities,” said Jason Hogg, Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police.
The successful organisations have been invited to a presentation event, hosted by the Commissioner and Chief Constable, in Buckinghamshire at the end of October.
