Communities Receive Cash Boost to Tackle Gun Crime
05 Aug 2005
The money – seized from criminals – will be made available to groups working in the areas worst affected by gun and knife crime as part of the Government's drive to put the proceeds of crime back into communities. It will kick–start new initiatives and help ongoing local schemes such as sport and music activities to help young people break away from gang culture, as well as supporting mentoring projects and victims.
Ms Mactaggart said:
"The work of community based projects is absolutely vital in our drive to make our neighbourhoods safer. Local people are at the heart of the fight against gun and knife crime and they are able to respond quickly and effectively to events on the ground. People in all neighbourhoods have the right to feel safe and there is great commitment and energy at a community level to tackle these problems.
"The Connected Fund supports the invaluable work of local groups that are helping to tackle gun and knife crime in our communities. It can support young people at risk of being drawn into gun crime and gangs, work with schools and provide support for victims.
"It is a unique, simple source of funding targeted at the areas suffering particular problems with gun and knife crime which groups can access with the minimum of bureaucracy. It means that small community groups are not prevented from doing valuable work for the want of a small amount of funding.
"We have driven forward a comprehensive package of work to tackle these crimes, working in partnership with the police and communities, and we are strengthening the laws on guns and knives still further as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. But we are not complacent, and will continue to work hard to tackle the scourges of gun and knife crime in our communities."
The Connected Fund opens today and applications for grants of up to £5000 will be considered. The closing date for bids is 16 September.