Police and Crime Commissioner opens funding bids to tackle Rural Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has today launched a new funding initiative to fight crime in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

The first round of the Commissioner’s Emerging Needs Fund is focused on combatting Rural Crime.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have large rural areas which can make policing and crime detection more challenging. Rural communities are more frequently becoming victims of serious and organised crime. These often include machine thefts, hare coursing – which leads to illegal gambling – poaching, trespassing, and fly tipping.

This is costing farmers and land owners hundreds of thousands of pounds per year.

PCC Donna Jones said: “I outlined my commitment to tackling crime in rural areas in my Police and Crime Plan and I remain committed to representing the concerns of rural communities.

“Since being elected into office in May 2021, I have funded additional CCTV cameras and drones to support the force’s Countrywatch teams and I have funded new jobs to help the police identify crime patterns and trends in addition to funding the crime reporting DISC app.

“I’m delighted to be focusing on preventing rural crime in my first round of my emerging needs funds this year. As your Police and Crime Commissioner I’m here to help you, your family, your communities, feel and be safer.”

This first round of the Commissioner’s Emerging Needs Fund is another positive step to bolster Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s crime fighting capability when it comes to rural crime.

The Commissioner is welcoming applications which can demonstrate how they reduce crime or support victims of crime in a rural setting.

The application window closes at 2pm on Friday 21 April 2023 and successful applications will be announced in mid to late May 2023.

How do I apply?

Go just go to Apply for funding – https://www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/safer-together/funding/apply-for-funding 

Please ensure you read the Guide to Applying for Funding document and complete the Safeguarding Checklist.

There are four different applications types so please ensure you select the correct one. They are broken down based on if your organisation is applying for funding for a project or for a physical item/s.

Also there are different applications based upon the level of funding being requested, for example, up to £5000 and £5,001 and over.