As Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week, which runs from 3 - 9 July 2023, continues, charities and community groups are being invited to bid for funding to help prevent crime and increase public safety.

Applications have opened for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police Crime Commissioner's first Commissioner's Community Safety Fund round of 2023-2024.

Over the next 12 months, up to £400k will be invested in community-based projects and services that support the delivery of the area's Police and Crime Plan priorities.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects designed to protect the public from harm, stop reoffending and protect people from being exploited or drawn into crime.

Three rounds, alternating between general and specialist rounds, will be held in 2023. The remaining rounds will open in September and December 2023.

Littering and damage to public property are just some of the side effects of localised crime. Image credit: Nub News.

PCC Rupert Matthews said: "My Community Safety Fund has been a resounding success since launching, channeling vital funds into areas of crime prevention and public safety that would otherwise have struggled to secure financial support.

"These projects have reduced anti-social behaviour, helped to build stronger and more resilient communities and directed help and support to vulnerable young people who could end up on the criminal path without intervention. They are worth their weight in gold, and I am determined to keep the good work up.

"Prevention is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. I have already seen the results of proactive activity and investment in areas which are struggling with drug crime, anti-social behaviour and violence and I want to extend my support as far as possible.

"Communities that work together and support lawfulness on our streets are safer communities. It goes back to the Peelian principle of the police being part of the community and the community being part of the police - this is vital for building trust and confidence in policing and building the world we want to live in."

Grants are available for projects that support any of the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan including the delivery of new provision or expanding existing provision.

Oakham's defibrillator in Cutts Close was vandalised last year, resulting in the removal of the device. Image credit: Nub News.

Grants for the 2022/23 year primarily went to inner city organisations and groups working in both Leicestershire and Rutland. Regardless, applications are encouraged to tackle anti-social behaviour in more rural areas in Rutland and Leicestershire.

For more information or to apply, click here.

The closing date to apply for this round of funding is 31 July 2023.