PCC confirms Community Safety Funds across county

As Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, Tim Passmore is now responsible for awarding Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants across the county.

Tim Passmore explaining the new process said, “I am able to use my funds to award Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants to commission services from anyone who I consider can provide services that will contribute to my police and crime objectives. Recognising the shortness of time in which to develop new arrangements, I have relied greatly on partners to be fully involved in the development of the proposals and I would like to thank them all for their support.”

The total fund allocated by Government to Suffolk for 2013/14 is £572,000, a shortfall of £140K on the budget for the previous year.

To lessen the shortfall, and to acknowledge the excellent work being carried out by partners, Mr Passmore has decided to moved £28,000 from his corporate budget to bridge the gap. This increases the total Community Safety Fund to £600,000 for the coming year.

Mr Passmore continued, “Everyone knows that money is tight so there were no surprises that the funding available is less this year. I have elected to pump-prime the fund to lessen the impact this year but that still leaves a shortfall.  Everyone will receive less than they did last year, this is sadly a reflection on the current economic climate, but I have tried to do this as equitably as possible.”

The Safer Suffolk Partnership Board will receive £44,152 and £176,610 will be divided, to an agreed formula based on crime data, between the five Community Safety Partnerships. The Suffolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team will receive £194,237 for Youth Crime and Substance Misuse Prevention activities and the Drugs Intervention Programme; £85,000 goes to Positive Futures and the Youth Offending Service will receive £100,000.

Anyone wishing to apply for a Crime and Disorder Reduction Grant should contact their local Community Safety Partnership.