Caroline Dinenage MP has welcomed news that 14 organisations serving the Gosport area have been successful in their applications for Police and Crime Commissioner funding. Collectively, they will be awarded £326 305, with this money being used to fund projects that prevent offending, support victims and help individuals to realise their potential without being drawn into the Criminal Justice System.
The Police and Crime Commissioner received 148 applications in total, of which 70 have been successful. The projects chosen were those believed to best meet the specific needs of their local areas.
A number of Gosport-based organisations have been awarded funding. Gosport Community Safety Partnership will be awarded over £28 000 in total, which includes £7 830 to continue its annual Summer Passport scheme. Commenting, Caroline said:
'I was delighted to see so many enthusiastic young people involved in a session of the scheme I visited last August. Access to fun, free activities during the summer holidays makes such a difference, many see a lack of recreational options as a key factor in youth crime. I'm thrilled that Gosport Community Safety Partnership has been awarded funding to continue their valuable work. I am pleased that so many organisations are working across Gosport to improve the community for everyone, and in such innovative ways. I have no doubt that the funding awarded will make a big difference to local people's lives'.
The Gosport based youth charity Motiv8 will receive £17 655 to deliver a programme aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour among young people, and the Wheatsheaf Trust will receive £30 000 to support an intensive mentoring project for young offenders across Gosport and neighbouring towns. Crimestoppers Hampshire, the Hampshire Stalking Clinic, the Crime Diversion Scheme, Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling, Solent NHS Trust, Southern Domestic Abuse Service, the Footprints Project and the Prince's Trust have also been awarded funding to support work in the Gosport area.
Michael Lane, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, has emphasised that even where he has been unable to offer funding, he is keen to support community groups in their efforts to make the local area safer. Further information about the Police and Crime Commissioner can be found, here: http://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/commissioner.
