News

More grants to help prevent crime in Somerset

July 19, 2022

The Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund, a partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) and Quartet Community Foundation (QCF) is open for applications from charities and groups that run community projects and activities helping to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

Grants (money that does not need to be paid back) range from £1,000 to £5,000 and are to help create safer communities in our area. Five local groups have been awarded over £22,000 in grants from the fund so far this year.

Andy Ridgewell, Senior Programmes Manager at Somerset Community Foundation said: “The money from the Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund is targeted at supporting work that helps prevent, and reduces the impact of, crime in our communities.

“We want to continue to fund a wide range of community-led projects that focus on creating safer streets, raising awareness among young people, and the promotion of restorative justice.”

Mark Shelford, Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner said of the fund: “Local residents know their neighbourhoods better than anyone and we want to help communities prevent crime in their area. We want to support a real range of projects that help prevent crime as outlined in my Police and Crime Plan. So, if you, your neighbours or your community have ideas, initiatives or projects that does just this, please apply for a grant so local people can benefit from reduced crime. I look forward to supporting and visiting these projects – start applying.”

Groups based in Somerset should apply for a grant by visiting Somerset Community Foundation’s website, here: www.somersetcf.org.uk/opcc or by calling 01749 344949. The next two deadlines to apply are Friday 30 September, and Friday 24 February, 2023.

The organisations that have been awarded grants so far this year are:

  • Escapeline: £5,000 for child criminal exploitation workshops at schools in Somerset West and Taunton
  • Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support: £5,000 to support preventative sexual violence education workshops at secondary school across Somerset
  • Stand Against Violence: £4,800 for violence prevention and county lines workshops in schools across Somerset
  • Taunton East Development Trust: £5,000 for new equipment for volunteer community clean-up projects
  • The Nelson Trust: £2,500 to help fund targeted programmes for women at risk of exploitation in Somerset

Any groups based in BANES, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire should apply to QCF: www.quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/oppc

Somerset Community Foundation is a charity that helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy. They aim to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. They provide rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give through them, to the causes and places they care about most. Together, they fund amazing organisations and the passionate people that change lives every day.

Since SCF were founded in 2002 they’ve awarded more than £19 million in funding, changing thousands of lives across Somerset.

Photo Caption: The team at Stand Against Violence who were recently awarded a £4,800 grant from the fund


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