THE new Down Policing and Community Partnership is gearing itself up for an important funding opportunity.
At its monthly meeting held in the Baptist Church in Ballynahinch (on Wednesday 26 September), it was agreed to apply again to this fund to help bolster local groups and the work of the Partnership.
The proposal by PCSP member Councillor Dermot Curran to press ahead with the expression of interest will mean that ideas such working between the age generations on an internet / social media project can be supported.
Justice Minister David Ford has confirmed that community groups will again benefit from money recovered from criminals.
Applications for funding under the Criminal Confiscation Scheme closes in two weeks and the Minister has urged those preparing their bids to get them into the Department before 12 October 2012.
Earlier this year the Minister allocated £800,000 under the scheme to local communities to help tackle crime and the fear of crime. Applicants can obtain further information and submit an application through Policing and Community Safety Partnerships, Health and Social Care Trusts, Education and Library Boards or a Non Departmental Public Body associated with the Criminal Justice system.
The Department has written to these organisations outlining the funding criteria. David Ford said: “Over the past six months I have visited a number of community groups across Northern Ireland and heard how, through money generated by this scheme, they have been able to make their communities safer.
“Whether that is through preventing young people becoming involved in crime or providing reassurance to older people in the community, it is clear that this money has been put to good use.”
“There is a real sense of satisfaction in seeing money taken away from criminals and being reinvested in tackling crime and the fear of crime. I would encourage those groups still preparing their applications to get them into the Department before the closing date.”
