PCC invites bids for projects tackling neighbourhood crime and VAWG

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Terraced street in Picton

Merseyside's Police Commissioner is now inviting bids for projects that look to tackle neighbourhood crime and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) in public spaces.

 A total of £1m of Safer Streets Funding is currently available for projects running across Merseyside which are focused on putting in place simple, sustainable interventions which work to tackle issues like anti-social behaviour, burglary and make  women and girl feel safer and be safer in our communities.

This is the fifth round of funding the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, has used to build safer, stronger communities across Merseyside.

Previous rounds of funding have used to cut crime and create happier, healthier neighbourhoods in key areas including Birkenhead, Kirkdale, Huyton and Picton. Funding has also been directed to improve women's feelings of safety on the public transport network.

Through this funding allocation, Emily can select three projects which will then be submitted to the Home Office for approval.

Projects will run through 2023/24 and into the following financial year ending on 31st March 2025.

Who can apply?

Local Authorities, Community Safety Partnerships, Housing Associations, civic organisations, the police,  and local VAWG and ASB groups are all eligible to submit bids for this fund.

Organisations which apply must be able to match-fund at a rate of 50% and spend all the money by September 2025. Match funding can be in the form of direct funding or can be measured by in-kind resourcing.

Organisations are encouraged to submit bids in partnership.

Criteria

Much of the criteria for previous rounds of Safer Streets Funding remains the same.

Please find more details below:

  • Safer Streets Funding 5 will allow for initiatives to tackle ASB as a primary focus, with a view to better understanding what works to tackle ASB and VAWG-related incident in public spaces through the trialling of innovative approaches to tackle such incidents.
  • Projects will centre upon the tackling of neighbourhood crime, such as domestic burglary, robbery, theft from person, and vehicle crime, and will include ASB, and improving feelings of safety related to VAWG type crime or incidents.
  • Bids must aim to target a defined geographical area, which evidence shows is disproportionately impacted by crime.
  • Local crime data and evidence should inform their project activities.
  • The Home Office has provided example case studies, some of these include more traditional interventions, e.g., street lighting and CCTV, but the Home Office is encouraging bidders to think beyond these.
  • Bidders should provide an evidence base for intended activity, and demonstrate how the proposal will have a life beyond the funded period i.e., alley gating, improved street lighting, CCTV etc.
  • The Home Office has provided detail of what is and is not allowable as an activity, but in general all project activity should be street-based interventions.
  • Offices, workplaces, online space, and commercial premises that are not part of the NTE are not in scope.
  • Bidders are encouraged to complete an Environmental Visual Audit for targeted spaces.
  • Independent evaluation will be conducted, as for previous rounds.

Questions and deadline

Any questions about the fund should be emailed to the PCC's Commissioning, Policy and Research Team at [email protected]

The deadline for submitting bids is 4pm on Tuesday 15th August 2023.

How to apply?

Please find below all the supporting documents needed to make an application for Safer Streets 5 Funding:

Please submit your bids by 4pm on Tuesday 15th August 2023.

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