More than 1.3 million pounds has now been awarded to charities, voluntary groups and other organisations across West Yorkshire under Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Mark Burns-Williamson's Safer Communities Fund (SCF).
At an event at South Leeds Academy in Leeds last night 32 successful groups and projects from the latest grant round were awarded a share of £148,825.50 to support various initiatives.
The Safer Communities Fund is financed by money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA secured by police and prosecutors) which is fed into this single pot exclusively for local community safety initiatives.
Supporting and safeguarding victims and vulnerable people, increasing opportunities for young people, working with offenders to reduce re-offending and tackling anti-social behaviour are just a few examples of funded projects.
West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson said: "I am delighted to see the impact the fund has had and continues to have with all 129 wards in West Yorkshire benefiting from projects funded by the Safer Communities Fund since its creation in 2014 and was a key pledge during my recent re-election campaign.
"The most common focus of projects is on reducing crime, reoffending, tackling anti-social behaviour and supporting victims and witnesses. I am looking forward to visiting personally as many of the projects as possible and have attended numerous groups already and witnessed the fantastic impact that even small amounts of money can make to community projects.
"I really enjoy being at these awards events and am delighted to provide the successful applicants with money that will have a real impact in our local communities. This is my eighth awards round and the next grant round will open on August 30
"Being able to give out grants from the Safer Communities Fund is one of the best parts of my role. It's truly heartening to see what a difference relatively small amounts of money can make in our communities and I am continually impressed by the amount of worthy causes and organisations applying to the Fund.
"I would ask everyone to think of the good a grant of up to £5000 could do in their community and spread the word as far as possible about the fund and how to apply contributing to keeping West Yorkshire safer and feeling safer."
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: "The Proceeds of Crime Act is an excellent piece of legislation, enabling the police and other law enforcement agencies to hit criminals where it hurts, taking the money they have illegitimately obtained through their criminal activity and putting the money back into local communities in order to support worthy causes.
"Rest assured - We will continue to robustly pursue criminals and take every opportunity to seize their illegally obtained assets."
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