Over £1 million recovered from criminals is being invested in 58 community projects to support vulnerable young people. Funding will back sports, drama, and martial arts programmes, including Huddersfield’s Rise in Unity CIC and Bradford’s Common/Wealth theatre company, to help steer youths away from crime.
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00:00More than £1 million seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act is being used to fund
00:08community projects aimed at supporting vulnerable young people across West Yorkshire. The funding
00:14comes from the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund, established in 2021, which has since distributed
00:20more than £4 million to 415 local initiatives. 58 local projects were recognised at a special event
00:29at Bradford Academy, each aiming to break cycles of crime through positive activities.
00:35According to a spokesperson from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority,
00:40Rise in Unity CIC, a Huddersfield-based organisation, received funding for its martial
00:46arts programme. Managing Director Chantal McDade highlighted the project's positive impact,
00:53stating, our non-attacking martial arts Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches self-defence, discipline and
01:00resilience in a supportive environment. Another group benefiting from the funding is Bradford-based
01:07theatre company Commonwealth. Co-artistic director Evie Manning said the funding will allow them to
01:13deliver drama programmes for young people either at risk of offending or who already have offended,
01:20helping them to build confidence and resilience through drama, developing skills for future
01:25successful lives, while telling their stories in their own voices. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracey
01:31Brabin praised the investments, emphasising their vital role in creating safer, fairer communities
01:39and supporting the region's broader policing and crime reduction plans.