Police and crime commissioner offers £20k to charitable groups (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Police and crime commissioner offers £20k to charitable groups

7:40am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By William Tomaney

WEST Mercia’s police and crime commissioner is calling for charities and community groups to bid for a share of £20,000.

Bill Longmore, who created the fund using his own money, said it was open to organisations in the West Mercia area - Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin - that help fight crime and support victims of crime.

It can be used for anything from setting up schemes for young people to helping established organisations to expand their activities to improve community life.

The £75,000-a-year commissioner said: “I am pleased to offer this extra money and I hope groups and charities across the area will apply for a share of it.”

The first grants will be awarded in April 2013 and further grants will be made up to December 2013. Each grant will be looked at separately and the amount given will vary according to the effect the scheme will have in relationship to the grant’s aims.

A maximum of £500 will be paid to any successful applicant.

The money is on top of the £2 million a year community safety fund set aside to contribute to crime and disorder reduction or deliver the police and crime plan, which will be sustained throughout Mr Longmore’s time in office.

Applications can be made by writing to OPCC West Mercia, PO Box 487, Shewsbury, SY2 6WB or by emailing opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.