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 Did
you know….?
In Bedfordshire
the Police Authority (as opposed to
the Police Force) has
a fund set aside specifically to help projects involving young
people? No?
Then read on
to find out more…
Were you aware
that there is a difference between
the Police Authority and
the Police Force?
If you weren’t,
don’t worry, you’re in good company as many other
people aren’t!
OK, what is
the Police Authority?
The Police Authority
is an independent organisation, made up of seventeen people.
These seventeen represent the community and there are six
county councillors and three Luton Borough Councillors (these
are known as the elected members), then there are three magistrate
members and five independent members who are appointed for
their skill and local knowledge.
What does it
do?
In short, it exists to oversee the police force. It monitors
performance and budgetary issues and basically checks that
the force is carrying out its responsibilities properly. It
is NOT just there to tick boxes. If you have a problem with
policing then the Authority is there to help you. You can
contact the authority in several ways, all of which are shown
at the bottom of this article – however, the easiest
is probably to use email, info@bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk.
It does lots more, which if you are interested you can read
on our website – www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk.
The website does
let you ‘have your say’ and it will shortly be enabled
to have a specific ‘youth’ page carrying all sorts
of links and items which we think will be of interest to you.
The Authority does
NOT have anything to do with policing incidents, so it is
no good ringing the authority to report a crime. The police
look after crimes, it is the Authority’s job to make
sure that the police have the resources to work as efficiently
as possible.
That’s quite
enough about us, you’re bound to be more interested in
what we can we do for you!
MONEY TO GIVE
AWAY!
Some time ago the Authority recognised that young people have
different needs, attitudes and feelings about the police.
Therefore, two years ago it set up the Youth Issues Group,
which has control of a pot of money to allocate to projects
which will help keep young people entertained, interested
and out of trouble! We are keen to hear from any groups or
individuals with ideas but no or little funding. We can also
help with advice, guidance and support, so it’s well
worth giving us a call if you have a project that you think
might qualify.
We are interested
in providing grants of between £1,000 and £5,000
to individuals or organisations with bright ideas, which are
most likely to benefit young people in Bedfordshire.
We will also provide
joint funding with other ventures, which means that projects
that hitherto appeared unattainable could well be within reach.
Why do we do
this I hear you ask?
Research shows that young people are most likely to be victims
of, or perpetrators, of crime. Quite often this will occur
when young people do not have enough to keep them occupied.
We also know that young people feel they need more help. The
general public shouldn’t feel intimidated or threatened
by young people who hang around in large groups, part of the
authority’s job is to make people feel safer.Therefore,
we decided to attack the root of the problem and provide facilities
and help for young people.
How do you apply?
You can ring the Authority on 01234 842066, asking for Tania
Eagle, or you can ask teachers, youth workers, local councils
and they should be able to help you. Remember, it must be
a real project, no flights of fancy please!
What have we
done so far?
We have helped a load of projects across the county, ranging
from Skate Parks to Drop in Centres, Alcohol Toolbox kits
to Peer mentoring schemes.
There is no preferred type of project to receive funding,
it just has to meet our criteria, which we explain very carefully
in the application forms (which are very easy to understand
and fill out).
Contact details:
Bedfordshire Police Authority,
Bridgebury House
Woburn Road
Kempston
MK43 9AX
Tel: 01234 842066
Fax: 01234 842068
Email: info@bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk
www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk
You might also
be interested in the crime prevention page on the Police website.
It really does give a lot of helpful hints. Try www.bedfordshire.police.uk
and click on crime prevention.
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