More than £150,000 seized from crooks offered to community groups
West Midlands Police has made more than £150,000 available to community groups funded by cash and assets seized from criminals.
The initiative, led by force's police and crime commissioner David Jamieson, is available to community groups helping the vulnerable during the Covid pandemic.
Any organisation in the West Midlands can apply.
A total of £157,522 is available from the Community Initiatives Fund, financed by items seized through the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Announcing the fund, the deputy police and crime commissioner, Waheed Saleem, said: "This fund has been a highlight this year which has helped so many people maintain some contact in what has been a difficult and lonely year in many cases.
"This fourth round of funding is now available and I would encourage those group eligible to apply.
"Building and strengthening communities is a crucial way to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour as well as build cohesion. This fund is doing just that, right across the West Midlands.
"We’ve provided funding for a large number of organisations undertaking all sorts of work, from sports activity to groups combatting loneliness."
Each year, Mr Jamieson invites community groups to apply for the funding.
This year's round of funding was launched in May and has been temporarily renamed from Active Citizens Fund to the Community Initiatives Fund.
Applications will be open between January 4 and 15.
For more information, visit westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/community-initiatives-fund
