Police Commissioner invests more than £60k towards young people’s projects

POLICE and Crime Commissioner, Darryl Preston has awarded a total of £60,543 to 21 youth fund projects across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough over the past six months.

The Commissioner’s Youth Fund aims to ensure that young people who are at risk are deterred from becoming involved in criminal or anti-social activities.

Some of the projects that are benefitting from funds over the last six months include:  £3,279  to Peterborough United Foundation to support an on-going programme of football sessions in disadvantaged areas of Peterborough, supporting up to 130 young people from different backgrounds; £3,500 to Wisbech Outdoors for a 12-week project to engage young people in the Fenland area in positive activities to reduce the likelihood of them engaging in anti-social behaviour; £3,500 to Cambridge-based Romsey Mill to deliver a 12-week music, boxing and youth work programme aimed at young people in the Cambourne area to tackle their anti-social behaviour issues in the community; and Huntingdon-based Spotlight Productions, a not-for-profit performing arts group who received £3,500 to channel young people’s energy into positive activities.

“I’m glad that my fund has given young people the opportunity to prosper and develop in a safe environment with like-minded people,” said Darryl.

“My aim has always been to help young people make positive life choices, with the right people and support around them to keep them away from crime – the Youth Fund does that.”

Voluntary and community organisations based in the county who are working with young people aged between 5 and 18, or up to 25 years old for those with Special Educational Needs or disabilities are invited to bid for up to £3,500.

The funding has been made possible from what is known as ‘proceeds of criminal activity’.

Anyone looking to bid into the fund are advised to visit the Commissioner’s website.