The Commissioner’s Grant Scheme (CGS)
This budget focuses on projects committed to delivering the Safer West Mercia Plan outcomes.
Preventing/Reducing Burglary
Upper Tier Local Authority Councillors have access to financial support for reducing acquisitive crime. The PCC is offering a 25% contribution to the We Don’t Buy Crime (WDBC) scheme increasing the reach across West Mercia. £87,710 has been made
available from the PCC to invest in this initiative.
WDBC towns and villages are where 70% of residential properties have marked their possessions with Smartwater (a water-based solution with a unique forensic code that shows up under UV light). WDBC signs are installed through the village/town warning potential offenders to prevent burglary. Traces of Smartwater found on an offender provides the evidence required for a successful prosecution. Registered Smartwater identified on stolen property increases the likelihood of it being returned to the owner.
£500,000 (2023/24 until 2024/25)
For Safe, Stronger Communities.
This funding has been ring-fenced for a project which will run in partnership between Shropshire Council and the Police & Crime Commissioner for West Mercia. It will
seek to address the root causes of crime within targeted areas, improving life for communities within Shropshire.
Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Grants
Each CSP is provided with a ring-fenced budget from the PCC. This budget is spent on pro-active community safety initiatives, addressing local needs and creating a safer and more secure West Mercia.
Core funding £98,441 allocated as follows:
£10,000 – Domestic Abuse
Funding to West Mercia Women’s Aid as part of the IDVA contract.
£20,000 – CSP Analysts
This will be provided by the Research & Intelligence Team of Shropshire Council. This team support the Council and other partnerships with analytical support and have a wide range of skills and knowledge.
£1,000 IOM
IOM and reducing reoffending are a long-established issue linked to expanding preventative measures, community safety would be greatly improved. The
funding will be utilised to take up schemes such as the “Buddi-tag system” and the charitable Probation Care Trust who offer immediate, tailored support to
offenders across West Mercia, to assist them in integrating back into the community and breaking the cycle of reoffending.
£5,412 – Hate Crime
To provide funding for a 12-month project which will deliver an engagement and awareness programme to increase public awareness of and confidence in reporting hate-related crimes and incidents. We will achieve this by targeting organisations that are closely related to those at higher risk of vulnerability or are community based to broaden our reach to those who might otherwise feel apprehension in reporting.
£2,000 Crimestoppers
Funding contributes towards the salary of a Regional Manager who will deliver 3 anti-crime campaigns a year.
£49,208 – Safe Spaces for Young People to Thrive
The focus of the initiative is to build a Shropshire wide young person’s offer that is co-produced with young people, utilising an evidence-based approach and
supported by a dedicated data analyst. This offer will be safe and will enable our young people the space to freely express themselves and thrive into adulthood.
Commissioner’s Community Fund (CCF)
The PCC provides the safer neighbourhood teams with the autonomy to support local initiatives. A branch of this fund is for ‘safer roads’, whereby SNTs can apply for funding to prevent the harm caused by a road traffic collision in the areas they serve.
Some examples include:
CCF
£5,000 – Shrewsbury & Oswestry Crucial Crew
To provide up to 50 schools in the Shrewsbury & Oswestry area with the opportunity to attend a West Mercia Police sponsored safety education event with 13 safety scenarios
for up to 1500 children.
£3,000 – Bridgnorth Crucial Crew
A 5-day workshop on safety related issues for 800+ year 6 children in 40+ schools in Bridgnorth and South Shropshire.
CCF (Safer Roads)
Some examples include:
£2,424
Culmington Village East Vehicle Activate Sign
£2,500
Oswestry Town Council Vehicle Activate Signs.
£3,000
All Stretton & Little Stretton Vehicle Activated Speed Signs.
£2,000
Village Traffic Calming initiative in Weston under Redcastle.
The above list of PCC funding initiatives is in addition to the West Mercia wide funded projects which are also available to the communities of Shropshire.
