Cheshire community projects awarded almost £100k of Police and Crime Commissioner funding

Congleton project aims to support the night time economy

28 community projects across the county are set to benefit from almost £100k cash awarded from Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Dan Price’s SWAP Fund. 

The project funded supports people who are out in the night time economy, ensuring they remain safe. 

In Congleton, funding has been awarded to Congleton Street Pastors. 

The funding pot was launched in September from the Proceeds of Crime Act, money that has been seized or recuperated from criminals. 

There is still more money available and applications are welcome from those looking for funding, particularly express grants of £1k which will receive a decision within two weeks of applying. 

To be successful, projects had to demonstrate they could fulfil one of Dan Price’s priorities which include improving community safety, supporting victims, providing early intervention programmes and reducing reoffending. 

The SWAP Fund - Safety, Working Together, Action and Prevention –takes money that was earned or acquired in a negative way and swaps it for a positive community change. 

Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price, said: 

“I want to help Cheshire’s communities to be safe and my SWAP fund is one of the ways I’m encouraging communities to get involved. The money I’ve made available is the largest amount committed by a Cheshire PCC. This demonstrates my clear commitment to residents across the county that I will provide what help I can to help them feel safer in their area. 

“Community projects have the power to have a real impact on crime. I have seen that often there is clear evidence that positive grassroots projects can divert those who would have committed crime down other avenues. I’m looking forward to visiting those who have been awarded the funding, seeing first-hand the positive impact they’ve had.” 

Dan Price, added: 

“There is still money left in the fund, so I would continue to encourage projects to apply Even if your project needs a small cash injection, if it meets the criteria my team and I want to hear from you.” 

More information about the SWAP fund is available https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/community-funding/SWAP-Fund/

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Editors notes

Image caption: PCC Dan Price talking with John Gleave from Rudheath FC and Mike Dempsey from Superbox.

Public accountability for the delivery and performance of the police service is placed into the hands of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on behalf of the electorate.

The Commissioner has wider responsibilities than those relating solely to the police force, including:

• The ability to provide or commission services intended to help victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour. • The ability to provide or commission services that will secure, or contribute to securing, crime and disorder reduction. • The ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at the force level. • A duty to ensure that all collaboration agreements with other Commissioners and forces deliver value for money or enhance the effectiveness of policing capabilities and resilience. • A wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area.