PCC SWAP Fund

Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner launches 150k community fund

Largest amount provided by the PCC

People across Crewe can now take positive action to help make their communities safer by accessing a new funding pot, thanks to Dan Price, Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC)

The community fund is the largest the PCC has made available and will empower communities to bring their good ideas to life.

The SWAP Fund – Safety, Working Together, Action and Prevention – comes from the Proceeds of Crime Act; money that has been actively seized or recuperated from criminals operating within the county. It takes money that was earned or acquired in a negative way and swaps it for a positive community change.

Anyone can apply for between 1k and 5k from the fund. It's aimed at volunteer groups and not-for-profit organisations. It's simple to apply online and decisions will be made within weeks.

Community funds have been available from the PCC office in previous years, but this year the SWAP fund is 50% larger and more flexible. Dan has also removed the requirement for all funds to be matched – communities can pledge volunteer hours instead.

Dan Price, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said:

"Residents often know best when it comes to what their communities need to feel safer – that's what the SWAP Fund is all about.

"I know from talking to so many residents across Crewe that there are some great ideas that could make a real difference. The SWAP fund is there to help bring those ideas to life. We have so many committed community champions in Crewe. I can't wait to read some of these applications, visit some of these initiatives and see the positive impact this funding will have."

Age UK Cheshire East, applied for funding to run a week-long awareness event 'We Need to Talk about Scams' which was aimed at the public and professionals. The public aim was to provide awareness of the signs and how to report a scam. The professional aim was to raise awareness of the services available to help support those affected by fraud and scams.

Emma Kennedy, Project Manager, Age UK Cheshire East said:

"'We Need to Talk about Scams' was a week-long event in Crewe and Congleton to help raise awareness of scams and fraud with the public of Cheshire.

"The PCC funding helped us to reach a wider audience and people went away more informed about the signs of scams, how to avoid them and importantly how to report them.

"I would encourage people to apply for the PCC fund, because community projects that help protect the most vulnerable in our societies are important to help prevent crime. Our lasting legacy is that more older people will be protected from scams and fraud in the future."

The PCC wants to fund projects which focus on one of his priorities. He would like to fund innovative ideas which address one of the following:

• Improve community safety
• Reduce offending and reoffending
• Supporting victims of crime
• Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour
• Youth engagement projects
• Crime prevention and early intervention

More information about the fund and application form is available from

https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk