For most young people, offending is transitory but for a small group of young people this behaviour can be ingrained and pervasive. There is a lack of consensus about the reasons for offending but the link with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is increasingly seen as significant.

The Crime Prevention Through Sport Fund aims to support projects that use sport and physical activity to reduce violence, crime and anti-social behaviour. This fund is for projects that focus on using activity as a tool to engage and support young people up to the age of 25. Applications that use sport in its widest sense including traditional, informal sports and activities will be considered and encouraged to apply. Area's we are keen to receive applications from this year are Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton as well as Frome, Glastonbury, Street, Chard, Wellington and Minehead.

Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) are proud to be working in partnership with Wesport to deliver the Crime Prevention through Sport Fund commissioned by Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Together this partnership will endeavour to support projects that have a considered approach to supporting young people who are involved or are at risk of being involved in criminal activity.

Avon and Somerset Police lead for serious violence, Superintendent James Raphael said:

We are delighted to be continuing our partnership work alongside Wesport and SASP and to be offering funding once more. Whilst enforcement remains an important part of policing, diversion, and intervention and ultimately prevention is by far the better way to tackle serious violence. By ensuring a wide range of opportunities to engage young people in positive activities we hope to be able to support those who would otherwise become the victim of or involved in criminality."

The Office of The Police and Crime Comssioner have committed a total of £70,000 to be shared across the Avon and Somerset area.

This partnership will support, asses and award funding to projects that can demonstrate that their offer to young people and the structure of their interventions are considered around the people they aim to target and consider that young person's whole environment.

Areas of Delivery in Somerset are:

• Bridgwater
• Street
• Chard
• Wellington
• Minehead
• Taunton
• Yeovil
• Frome
• Glastonbury

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN AND WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY JULY 29TH 2024!

Please review the documents below to find out more and to submit an application. Any funding awarded will need to be spent and projects complete by the end of March 2024.

Contact Laura Dyke for any further information on the fund via ldyke@sasp.co.uk

For projects in Bristol, North Somerset, BANES and South Gloucestershire contact Caleb Thomas via caleb.thomas@Wesport.org.uk

If you are looking to run a project aiming to reduce violence, crime and anti-social behaviour, however not through sport then you can apply for funding through the OPCC Commissioner's Crime Prevention Fund with Somerset Community Foundation.