The Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund has awarded over £140,000 to charity groups to make communities safer.

Grants were given to 18 projects across Somerset, North Somerset, BANES, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire over the summer.

The fund is managed by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) and Quartet Community Foundation on behalf of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Police.

The projects chosen are aimed at helping specific areas or groups of people who are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of crime.

The aim is to reduce crime, serious violence, and antisocial behaviour.

Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Charities and community groups are uniquely positioned to affect positive change in our communities, thanks to their trusted relationships and deep local networks.

"By engaging with people at risk of entering the criminal justice system, raising awareness of the dangers of crime, and helping to reduce reoffending, they play a crucial role in creating safer communities.

"The grants from this fund will support these groups in continuing their important work, which directly contributes to preventing crime and its impact."

Some of the charities receiving funding include Young Somerset, who were given £9,365 to deliver targeted youth work in Bridgwater and Taunton.

Beloved, a Bristol-based charity, also received £10,000 to provide one-to-one support for women in the indoor sex industry.

Inclusive Change at Work CIC was awarded £8,069 to raise awareness of cyber security in South Gloucestershire.

Barney Simmons from Young Somerset said: "We're working with lots of young people through the delivery of Youth Hubs, commonly interacting with 50 to 60 young people across the Hubs in Bridgwater and Taunton per week.

"We're using this grant to significantly extend our offer to young people, allowing us to deliver a range of fun and educational sessions with an underlying focus on community safety and the impact of crime on young people.

"As part of this, we're working closely with our local PCSOs, particularly in two known crime hotspots."

Andy Ridgewell, programmes director at SCF, said: "We're delighted to manage this fund and work in partnership with Quartet Community Foundation to support projects that meet the expectations set out in the Police and Crime Plan.

"We look for applications for all sorts of projects, ranging from services for young people, events that build community, and awareness raising across groups likely to fall victims of crime."

The Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund is open for applications from Monday, September 30, 2024, until Friday, November 8, 2024.