Police and Crime Commissioner provides communities with a further £60k funding injection to crackdown on anti-social behaviour

A total of 15 organisations have successfully applied for grants from the Commissioner's Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Grant scheme as part of her plan to get tough on nuisance behaviour and the neighbourhood crimes that impact local people.

The funding has been shared across the county and invested into activities and programmes that channel young people's energy into positive pursuits including sport to stop them turning to crime and anti-social behaviour.

In addition, funding has been injected into schemes that promote self-esteem and confidence. Other projects aim to boost the security of community land and premises with new CCTV and other safety measures.

This is the second time the Commissioner has invited bids for a share of £100k to prevent anti-social behaviour in communities.  In 2021, 22 community groups and organisations were successful, and they are now providing a wide range of successful initiatives across the county.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: "My Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Grant gives power back to our communities, helping hardworking people to take a stance against unacceptable and criminal behaviour that impacts community life. I am pleased with the response to this scheme so far and the variety of projects I have been able to fund.

"The force has recently stepped up its efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime across Derbyshire, as this is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. They are utilising new powers to protect our communities and increasing understanding of the impact it has on quality of life and mental wellbeing. I am supporting that crucial work with community-based problem-solving so local people can become actively involved in developing solutions.

"I would like to congratulate all those who have secured funding in the latest round of the scheme. Considerable success has been achieved by previous grant recipients and I am looking forward to building on this progress further with the addition of these valuable extra resources."

Among those to have secured grants in the second round of the scheme are Chesterfield FC Community Trust which secured £5,000 towards its Boots on the Ground pilot project which has engaged more than 80 young people in sports and other activities on Thursday and Saturday evenings, and Belper Youth Sports which has received £5,000 to set up multisport activities in the summer holidays to alleviate boredom and divert young people away from anti-social behaviour.

In other projects, Unstone Parish Council received £3,600 to install CCTV at a children's play area to prevent crime and drug use while Whitwell Parish Council received a grant worth £5,000 to install new security fencing at the Bakestone Moor Recreation Ground in Whitwell to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the area.

Anti-social Behaviour and Neighbourhood Crime are key priorities in the Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan.

A further £40k of this targeted funding stream is still available.  Applications are invited until 30 September 2022.  To apply for funding, or to find out more, visit: https://www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/finance-grants/anti-social-behaviour-prevention-grant-round-2/

For the full list of recipients, and for media enquiries, visit: https://www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/