Cash boost for communities to tackle gun crime

Communities working to tackle gun and knife crime are to receive a cash boost of a quarter of a million pounds, the government has announced.

The money will be provided through the Connected Fund, which includes money from the seizure of criminal assets.

The funds will be provided to groups working in areas worst affected by gun and knife crime and is part of a drive to put the proceeds of crime back into communities.

It is hoped that the scheme will kick-start new initiatives and help continuing local schemes, such as sport and music activities, to help young people breakaway from gang culture. The funds will also provide support for mentoring projects and victims.

The first two rounds of Connected funding were announced in May and September last year - 119 groups successfully bid for funding in these rounds.

The third round of funding has been extended to include knife crime and gangs.

A maximum grant of £5,000 is available through the scheme and the criteria for projects and organisations wishing to apply is that they divert young people away from crime, provide support for victims and their families and support the work of law enforcement agencies.

Announcing the scheme, Home Office Minister Fiona 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.

“The Connected Fun supports the invaluable work of local groups that are helping to tackle gun and knife crime in our communities.

“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.”

The closing date for application to the Connected Fund is September 16.

(KMcA/SP)