VOTE: Should local people play an active role in measures to tackle crime?

A new government fund could help crime fighting projects in the Bognor Regis area.

Communities across Arun are being encouraged to make the most of a new government fund launched to help local people fight crime and build safer neighbourhoods.

Announced by the Home Office, the national £5m Innovation Fund is designed to bring together active citizens and encourage new and creative ways of working to tackle crime, and is now open for bids from voluntary and community groups.

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Arun District Council’s cabinet member for community safety and chairman of the safer arun partnership, Paul Wotherspoon, said: “We recognise the vital role that voluntary groups play bringing people together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and any additional help and support offered from government is welcomed.”

The Safer Arun Partnership also runs its own local funding for projects which help tackle crime.

The £25,000 Community Projects Fund gives groups the opportunity to bid for up to £4,000 to help pay for projects and events which reduce anti-social behaviour, improve neighbourhoods and build a sense of community spirit and wellbeing.

The partnership is always looking for active groups to join forces with who work to tackle and deal with local issues in line with the concept of the Big Society – a government drive to make communities feel empowered to solve problems in their neighbourhoods.

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The partnership is a group of local organisations who work to make the district a safer place for everyone.

Its membership includes representatives from the district council, county council, Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police Authority, Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust and NHS West Sussex as well as Arun’s communities.

For more information about the partnership’s Community Projects Fund contact the community safety team on 01903 737670.

To apply to the Home Office Innovation Fund visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/partnerships/innovation-fund/.