Local projects receive funding

Charitable and voluntary organisations across the county are set to receive funding via the Police Property Act Fund.

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Taylor, invited applications from organisations that would contribute to the priorities of her Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029.

The Police Property Regulations 1997 created the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF); a fund generated from the sale of property/goods that cannot be returned to their original owner. The fund must be used to support local projects undertaken by charitable and/or voluntary organisations that solely benefit the communities of each force area.  However, until now, very few organisations in Norfolk have benefitted from this fund.   

Sarah Taylor said: “When I stood for election last year, I said repeatedly that I would find more ways of getting money into our communities. I was shocked but unsurprised to see that more than £350,000 had been allowed to accrue as a result of the Police Property Fund Act over recent years. I am strongly of the view that this money should have been used to support the Constabulary and communities across our county, so I am pleased that the first round of grant funding has been made which is the first step in correcting that position.  

I was really encouraged to have received a broad range of applications from grass root groups and organisations that deliver a wide range of activities for both young and older people.  As I mentioned in my Police and Crime Plan, safety is more than just policing.  It’s about building cohesive communities where everyone feels secure, valued and supported in the place where they live.

“The decision-making to award funding via the Police Property Act Fund was made by the Chief Constable, Paul Sanford and myself and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made the effort to apply.  I hope these small grants will make a difference countywide.

“I was very keen that the funding should go to communities across the county and not just to areas in greatest need, and I am mindful that communities across the county should benefit from this funding stream. On this occasion, very few applications were received from organisations located in the Borough of Great Yarmouth or in the South Norfolk District Council area. For future rounds of funding, I would really encourage organisations from these areas to come forward. Even grants for £200 will receive proper attention as I am keen for as many people to benefit from this as possible.”

The aim of the fund is to deliver projects that will:

• Prevent or reduce crime
  
  
• Improve people’s lives
  
  
• Build stronger and safer communities

The 13 successful organisations to benefit are:

Organisation	District	Purpose	Award
Gaywood Football Club	King's Lynn & West Norfolk	Purchase footballs/goals for girls U13 team and Mini Kickers.	£482.87
Family Action	King's Lynn & West Norfolk	Purchase equipment for Escape Project, which supports those with complex life situations including SEN, mental health challenges to attain qualifications in horticulture by supplying equipment.	£2500
Glide Surf Community Initiative	North Norfolk	Positive activity programme for young people to reduce anti-social behaviour.	£2018.80
Action Community Enterprises	Norwich	To train staff across both centres in Norwich and Great Yarmouth to deliver to children and young people on recognising/avoiding exploitation of county lines.	£2230
The Aylsham Community Trust	Broadland	To provide positive activities in the summer holidays for children and young people aged 13-16 years identified as vulnerable or at risk and reduce likelihood of ASB.	£2475
Hingham Playing Field Association	South Norfolk	To purchase two pieces of equipment to replace equipment condemned at the Welcome Space Playground.	£2500
Involve Razem	Breckland	To provide support workshops for young people and their parents highlighting risks that teenagers face today and support them be engaged with their community and stay safe.	£2500
Upwell and Outwell Youth Club	King's Lynn & West Norfolk	To support Upwell/Outwell Youth Club for children and those in the care of the local authority by providing positive activities to reduce antisocial behaviour.	£2250
NR5 Community Hub	Norwich	To support Play and Stay Group, Youth Club/Adult Space by providing arts, crafts, hot meals at the Cadge Road Community Centre and build community cohesion and engagement.	£2500
Caring Together	Breckland	Funding for staffing/transport/ safeguarding and finance for the Young Carers Forum.	£2500
Ormiston Families	Norwich	Contribution to a practitioner for Norfolk Families who are likely to disengage from education with the aim to improve long term outcomes for Children and Young People including risk of future crime.	£2500
Mr Bee's Family Centre	King's Lynn & West Norfolk	Funding to develop community garden to provide a safe space/promote positive activities/social welfare and community inclusion.	£2500
St Martins Housing Trust	Norwich	To improve community Garden at Bishop Bridge House for engagement of clients and a safe place for them to use and to meet.	£2000