SevenCleveland charities will receive a share in a £30,000 funding boost to help reduce levels of antisocial behaviour.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Steve Turner has invested £30,839 from his Antisocial Behaviour Charity Fund.
The fund aims to support innovative ways of working to reduce ASB and divert people away from it. The fund was launched following feedback from communities across Cleveland.
A Fresh Start run by the Moses Project, in Stockton. was one of the schemes to benefit.
The charity, which works primarily with migrants and rough sleepers, received £5,000.
The charity will used funding to help at least 20 men to come off the streets of central Stockton and into rehabilitation – and as a result cut drug-related crime in the area.
Brian Jones, Chief Executive Officer at The Moses Project, said: “This funding will make a significant difference to the men we help, restoring their self-esteem and supporting their journey back to society. It will also contribute to safer communities through reduced crime.
“Every penny goes toward helping the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.”
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “As promised, I’m looking at tackling antisocial behaviour from all angles – particularly by working with organisations already committed to making a difference in their communities.
“Let’s be clear, antisocial behaviour is criminal behaviour and the impact it has on people in many areas of Cleveland cannot be underestimated.
“Anything we can do to help communities get upstream of the problem and stop it at source by providing meaningful activities and extra support is to be welcomed.”
Also benefitting….
Other projects receiving funding are the following:
The 17th Teesside Boys Brigade Company – £1,000
Based in Middlesbrough, the company plans to increase participation. The company works with young people in the 11-plus age group. It offers a range of activities including developing life skills and encouraging members to become good citizens.
The Wharton Trust – £5,000
Based in Dyke House, Hartlepool, the Trust will offer extra sessions focused on culture and creativity for young people and adults. Activities will include sessions on graffiti artwork, DJ’ing, rap and photography.
ASB Youth Reporters (Community Ventures) – £5,000
The club is aimed at young people, aged 10 -16, living in East Middlesbrough. It will give young people the chance to learn digital and media skills
Kids Like Us – Complex Needs Mentoring Programme (The Corner House Youth Project in partnership with Barnardos, Cultivate Tees Valley and ‘Lads like Us’) – £4,839
Based in Stockton, the project works with young men who have been involved in ASB. Participants are also vulnerable to child criminal exploitation (CCE). Engagement will be tailored to the needs of each individual.
Summer social action – youth project (The Shack) – £5,000
Cash will pay for a week of activities including a sports camp, day trip and community action to clean up the environment in and around the Ragworth and Primrose Hill areas, of Stockton.
No More Knives secondary schools tour (The Message Trust) – £5,000 The charity will visit four schools in Stockton and Middlesbrough to discuss the dangers of carrying a weapon with pupils aged 11 to 17. The school tour will end with a No More Knives Concert.
The fund’s cash comes from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF.) Much of the money is raised by the seizure and sale of goods, judged to be the proceeds of crime.
Projects run between April to September so they will be in place at some of the peak times for ASB including the summer holidays.