Funding Boost for Wrexham community projects through Safer Streets Programme

Four community-run projects across Wrexham have received a funding boost as part of the Safer Streets programme.

The £75 million Home Office programme encourages Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities to bid for investment for initiatives to prevent neighbourhood crime.

As part of Wrexham’s successful bid, £30,000 has been awarded through the Safer Streets 4 funding to support community projects over the summer holiday in Wrexham.

The aim is to create a range of meaningful activities for young people to actively take part in that will support wider partnership working and improved community relations across the city.

As part of the programme:

• £10,000 has been awarded to Wrexham AFC to deliver pop-up community football sessions across Wrexham City Centre and neighbouring wards.
• £10,000 is going to The Venture to deliver a range of Youth Adventure and Play Sessions.
• £5,000 has been awarded to Wrexham County Borough Council Active Young People’s Programme to deliver community Boxing sessions in Queensway Sports Centre.
• £5,000 has been presented to Wrexham Islamic Cultural Centre and EYST to create a range of summer social activities.

These activities are also complemented by the PCC’s separate Summer Soccer Fund, which launched on 17 July in partnership with the Football Association of Wales.

As part of the fund, clubs and youth organisations across North Wales are being encouraged to apply for funding to run footballing activities as a way to combat issues such as anti-social behaviour, which can often see a spike over the summer months.

Children and young people will therefore be occupied in a positive way, while also promoting teamwork, exercise, and a fun and inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

The Police and Crime Commissioner of North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin’s team worked closely with North Wales Police, Wrexham County Borough Council, Stepping Stones, North Wales Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, schools, justice services and third sector partners to ensure the Safer Streets bid had as much support as possible across the city.

Andy Dunbobbin, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, commented: “It is great to see funding from Safer Streets being put towards so many fun and much-needed activities for the community in Wrexham over the summer.

“Activities like these are an excellent way of creating positive diversionary activities for our children, allowing them to express themselves in a fun and positive way, while spending time with their friends.

“This means that they are less likely to get involved in other, less positive, activity such as anti-social behaviour.

“These activities and other initiatives, such as my Summer Soccer Fund, are a further way of delivering safer neighbourhoods for all, which is a cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan for North Wales.”

Cllr Paul Roberts, Lead Member for Partnerships and Community Safety, said: “It’s important that young people have activities that encourage them to be active members of their community, take part in positive social activities and learn new skills.

“We are grateful for this funding, which will provide community activities for many this summer and are looking forward to working alongside the four organisations who have been awarded the funding to deliver this range of events.”

Applications are open now for the Summer Soccer Fund and clubs and community organisations interested in the Summer Soccer Fund can find out how to apply on the Innovate to Grow section of the OPCC website here.