The Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner
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This week, the latest round of my Safer in Sussex Community Fund opened. The fund provides the opportunity for community groups that aim to cut crime & improve community safety, to apply for a grant of up to £5,000. Since starting the fund at the end of 2013, I’m delighted that nearly £2 million has been awarded to over 450 organisations that benefit local people, neighbourhoods and help to keep Sussex safe. We’ve seen a wealth of groups that have been successful for funding, from those that help, inspire and educate children and young people through to sports groups and activities sessions, as well as those supporting recovery hubs for people coping with addiction. The fund has also: supported groups that help people gain additional skills online to spot the signs of fraud; rehabilitate former prisoners and reduce reoffending; support developing communities; clean up schemes and more. You can find out about successful recipients of the funding on my website. The next round of my fund closes on 10 June. Any community group that meets the criteria can apply. I look forward to reading through the applications and supporting the next round of projects as they play a big part in helping to keep our county safe. This weekend, the Old Police Cells Museum in Brighton will bid a fond farewell to its founding member, Pat Drake, as she retires. Mrs Drake, who is a former Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove, led a team of volunteers (including retired and serving police officers) to set up the museum when she was in office in 2004/05. The museum, which has recently been awarded accreditation status, showcases the 13 police cells used from Victorian times through to the late 1960’s and houses rare police artefacts and memorabilia. Pat’s leadership over many years and personal commitment to the museum and its wider team is evident when visiting the collection. I would like to wish Pat a very happy retirement and want to extend a big thank you, on behalf of Sussex residents and the Force, for her role in selflessly maintaining and displaying such an important part of policing history. The museum is open to the public and they also run group and private tours. |
| Over 100 councils invited to focus groups |
| In the meetings I’ve spoken at recently I have heard residents’ concerns about safety in public spaces, antisocial behaviour and drugs, as well as how their quality of life is impacted by noisy traffic and antisocial driving.
These are all issues which will be central to my next round of focus groups with town and parish councils across Sussex, starting on 16 May. More than 100 councils have been invited to take part. Their views, as well as public feedback taken from other surveys and engagements, help inform and amend the priorities in my Police & Crime Plan and my ongoing collaboration with the Chief Constable. Later in the year, the same questions will be put to the district and borough councils as well as a range of different community groups. It’s important to me that I consult, frequently, with as many people and groups across Sussex as I can so that I have an up-to-date picture of residents’ opinions and views. In the meantime, now that public meetings and events are opening up again across our county, I look forward to seeing many more residents in person over the coming months. Katy Bourne OBE Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner |
