THE PICCADILLY Project is one of half a dozen schemes in Bradford receiving around £30,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner's Safer Communities Fund.

More than £5,000 has been awarded to the project's SHARE (Self Help Alcohol Recovery Exchange) scheme, which runs a breakfast club for vulnerable people with drink problems.

Piccadilly team leader Faz Hafiz said they jumped for joy when they heard their application had been approved.

He said: "This kind of funding is really important. Without it, it would cost too much to run the scheme, and a lot of people would suffer as a consequence."

Other Bradford projects to benefit include Marshfield Neighbourhood Association for crime prevention; Modern Day Awareness workshops for young people in Thornton, Allerton, Clayton and Fairweather Green; West Bowling Youth Initiative to engage ex-offenders with at risk youngsters; the Yorkshire Band of Hope Union drug and alcohol awareness project; and awareness raising workshops at the Millan Centre, which all received similar sums.

More than £700,000 has now been awarded to charities, voluntary groups and other organisations across West Yorkshire from the Safer Communities Fund, which comes from money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: "I am delighted to be able to help a number of worthy causes and organisations. This money will allow them to help provide an invaluable service to their local communities."

“The fund will be taking a very short break before the fifth round as we want to review, evaluate and map the projects and money already spent and we are doing this over the next couple of months.

“Round Five, the first of three grant rounds in 2015, will open in early spring – check our website for details at www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk.”

West Yorkshire Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable John Robins said: ‘‘West Yorkshire Police continue to work hard to target those who make money from criminality. I am delighted to see cash and assets seized from criminals being reinvested for the benefit of our local communities.

‘‘We are always keen to hear from anyone who believes someone in their community is living beyond their means. Information from the public continues to play a key part in identifying those involved in criminality and I would ask anyone with suspicions to speak to their local neighbourhood policing team via 101, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’’

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