Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund Now Open

The Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund, an initiative by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Avon and Somerset, is now accepting applications. This fund, designed to help make communities safer, is offering grants between £1,000 and £10,000 for projects that aim to reduce crime, serious violence, and antisocial behaviour.

Whether you are a community group, charity, or organisation working to make a difference, this fund provides an excellent opportunity to secure financial support for your work.

Two Ways to Apply

To ensure accessibility across Avon and Somerset, applications can be submitted through two community foundations:

• Somerset Community Foundation: Apply if your project serves residents in Somerset. Click here to apply.
• Quartet Community Foundation: Apply if your project focuses on Bristol, BANES (Bath and North East Somerset), North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire. Click here to apply.

By offering two routes to access funding, the OPCC aims to support a diverse range of projects across the entire region, ensuring no community is left behind in the drive to reduce crime.

Eligible Projects

The fund welcomes a wide range of initiatives, including but not limited to:

• Youth Services: Programs that offer young people a chance to build critical social and emotional skills, reducing their risk of future involvement in criminal activity.
• Community Events: Activities that bring residents together, creating stronger community bonds and reducing the potential for antisocial behaviour and hate crime.
• Awareness Campaigns: for example campaigns that educate vulnerable groups or providing training for frontline staff and volunteers to identify individuals at risk.

Application Deadline

Organisations and groups must apply by Friday, 8th November 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to creating a safer, more connected community.

“Charities and community groups are uniquely positioned to affect positive change in our communities, thanks to their trusted relationships and deep local networks. By engaging with people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, raising awareness of the dangers of crime, and helping to reduce reoffending, they play a crucial role in creating safer communities. The grants from this Fund will support these groups in continuing their important work, which directly contributes to preventing crime and its impact — a priority not only for me but for the people of Avon and Somerset.” PCC Clare Moody

For more information or to start your application, visit the Somerset Community Foundation or Quartet Community Foundation websites today.