A new £100,000 grant scheme has been unveiled, which is designed to enable voluntary and community groups in Derbyshire to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster has committed the funds from her budget to the launch of an Anti-Social Behaviour Prevention Grant, saying she is "determined to respond to the neighbourhood issues that cause misery to local people". 

The funding - available in grants of up to £5,000 – is being launched during Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week (which runs from 19-25 July) in support of projects aiming to prevent problems developing in the first place, as well as those that help to reassure residents and make them feel safer.

"Anti-social behaviour has a serious impact on mental wellbeing and health and often leaves victims fearful and anxious," said Mrs Foster, who was elected in May. 

"Our communities in Derbyshire deserve this issue to be treated seriously and for every resource and effort to be spent on addressing persistent problems.

"I am keen to support projects which not only alleviate problems now but also prevent them from happening in the first place, which is better for those affected by antisocial behaviour and reduces the demand for the police and partners.

"Our community safety partners work hard to make life better for local people and I want to support their efforts by funding schemes that complement and enhance their work. My team will work closely with partners to ensure the grants we distribute benefit the work already underway and maximise the impact and value of this funding for the public." 

Calls in relation to anti-social behaviour have increased by almost 70 per cent in the past year during the coronavirus pandemic, which is also reflected in cases being managed by Derbyshire Victim's Services.

Anti-social behaviour can affect individuals and communities and includes noise nuisance, neighbour disputes, threatening behaviour, litter/dog fouling, criminal damage/vandalism/graffiti and drug or alcohol misuse and fly-tipping. 

The Commissioner says she aims to fund a variety of projects from sports and creative arts diversionary programmes through to media-themed intervention including radio/film making and is particularly keen to support applications from organisations that offer some level of matched funding.

Other projects could include drop-ins for young people, CCTV, community clean-ups, intergenerational schemes, mentoring projects, education initiatives and parental support programmes.

In addition to voluntary groups, applications from both Parish and Town Councils are also being welcomed. 

Applicants will need to provide evidence of a problem and propose community-based solutions, including an emphasis on partnership working.

The deadline for applications is 10 September 2021. Full details and criteria can be found at www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/asb. 

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