18 March 2025

One million pounds helping to make West Yorkshire Safer

One million pounds has been seized from hands of criminals and given back to communities in West Yorkshire.

The investment comes from the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, which takes money recovered from criminals and reinvests it into local organisations working make the region safer.

The projects will help deliver on the priorities and themes in the Mayor’s new Police and Crime Plan, which include supporting vulnerable men and boys, safety of women and girls and reducing vulnerability.

A total of 58 community projects were awarded funds at an event held at Bradford Academy on Monday, March 17.

One of these projects will be carried out by R-Youth CIC, a Wakefield-based organisation that works with vulnerable children and young people from high-crime areas who may be risk of gang involvement or criminal activity.

Amran Nazir, Director of R-Youth CIC said:

“Too many young people are being pulled into crime, exploitation, and violence simply because they have nowhere else to turn. At R-Youth CIC, we refuse to let that be their only path.

“This funding from the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund will help us disrupt that cycle by providing a lifeline structured sports, mentoring, and a positive support network.

“Through Multi-sports and Pathways to Education, we’ll engage young people from high-crime areas, giving them the confidence, discipline, and opportunities they deserve. This isn’t just about sport; it’s about saving futures."

Common/Wealth is a theatre company based in Bradford. It will be working with young people at risk of and experience of offending to will deliver an in-depth drama programme with a performance outcome as part of Bradford 2025.

Evie Manning, Co-Artistic Director, Common/Wealth, said:

“At Common/Wealth, we believe in the power of theatre to transform lives.

“The funding we received from the Mayor will enable us to collaborate with young people at risk of offending from across Bradford, helping them to build confidence and resilience through drama, developing skills for future successful lives, whilst telling their stories in their own voices."

Since its inception in 2021, the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has handed out a total of £4,042,628 to 415 local projects.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “I am delighted we have been able to invest in these local community groups, ensuring their crucial work continues.

“Projects like these which tackle problems at a grassroots level are instrumental to delivering our new Police and Crime Plan and making West Yorkshire a safer, fairer place for all.

“I can’t thank these organisations enough for the huge difference they make here in West Yorkshire – they have the power to truly transform lives.”

The funding comes from cash and assets seized from criminals by police and prosecutors under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It is made available largely thanks to the efforts of the West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL said:

“Our Economic Crime Unit relentlessly pursues serious and organised criminals to ensure that crime does not pay.

“That’s why it always gives me tremendous satisfaction to know that the hard work of our officers and financial investigators not only deprives these criminals of their ill-gotten gains but also provides much-needed support for groups and organisations who make such a positive impact across communities in West Yorkshire.”

A full list of of the projects which received funding in this round of the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund c an be found on our website: Mayor's Safer Communities Fund - Grant Round 7

The next round of funding will open for applications on Monday, June 2.

You can find out more information and how to apply on our website: Mayor's Safer Communities Fund