Executive summary
This decision notice should be read in conjunction with Decision 2025/2026 – 017.
A key priority in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2024-29 Police and Crime Plan is ‘Ensure the right support for victims and vulnerable people.’ This includes ensuring they feel supported and listened to and have access to high-quality services at the right time.
As a result of the above,the PCC launched the Protect and Support Fund between late July and early September 2025. This aimed to pilot new approaches and develop sustainable solutions in support of this priority.
The PCC made funding available from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF.) This allowed local registered charities to access a one-off grant. Projects had to work towards one (or more) of the below aims:
- Enhance existing support and protection for vulnerable victims
- Reach and support under-represented groups
Applicants were able to apply for a maximum of £15,000 per project. In total, 28 bids were submitted by the deadline on 10 September 2025. Twelve were rejected due to failing to meet essential selection criteria.
Following an application review meeting on 16 September 2025 attended by the PCC, Policy, Partnerships and Delivery Manager, the Policy, Partnerships and Delivery Officer and Business Support Officer – the PCC made the decision to fund 14 organisations as outlined in DRF 2025 2026 017.
During the review meeting, further information was requested from The Halo Project. This was to clarify the proposed delivery details of their application to the Protect and Support Fund.
The Halo Project confirmed that they propose to deliver a bespoke, supplementary service, an enhanced engagement and support model for victims of Honour Based Abuse (HBA) delivered with additional reach into communities, identifying and spotlighting support for a number of complex HBA victims and working closely in partnership with Cleveland Police to create and embed a greater cultural understanding and safeguarding model – “a blueprint” of best practice for victims facing HBA in Cleveland.
Following a discussion with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) as a result of this additional clarification and information, the PCC approved the application.
Decision 2025/26 – 020: Protect and Support Fund – additional allocation (application, 163kB)