West Midlands Communities Invited to Apply for £330,000 Seized From Criminals

Grassroots organisations across the West Midlands have been encouraged to apply for funding from a £330,000 pot of money confiscated from criminals.

The funding is available through the My Community Fund, a scheme run by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), which redirects seized criminal assets into community safety projects.

Funding for Local Safety Projects

Under the scheme, community groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000. The money can be used to support a wide range of initiatives, including youth engagement programmes, anti-knife crime projects, mental health support services and community patrols.

The deadline for applications has been set for 13 March.

Justice for Communities

West Midlands PCC Simon Foster said the scheme delivers a strong sense of justice by taking money from criminals and reinvesting it into neighbourhoods affected by crime.

He said local people were best placed to understand the needs of their communities and that the fund allows them to lead efforts to improve safety and prevent crime.

Successful Community Projects

Keith Tucker from the Birmingham Community Boxing Project previously received funding through the scheme. He used the grant to deliver school-based programmes in deprived areas, including Welsh House Farm Community School and Four Dwellings Academy.

Tucker said boxing had proven to be an effective way to guide young people away from negative influences and criminal behaviour.

Long-Term Impact

He added that many of the children involved in the school programmes later joined regular boxing sessions in south Birmingham, demonstrating the long-term benefits of community investment.

Organisers hope the latest round of funding will continue to create positive and lasting change across the region.