Partnership Fund
The Partnership Fund is part of Suffolk Police Authority’s budget and is shared between the county’s seven districts for funding community projects and engagement activities that support Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) priorities.
The funded projects are often joint initiatives between SNTs and partner agencies. SNT officers devise projects to respond to local issues, or are approached by partners or local residents with ideas to help tackle issues identified as priorities for their area. The SNT officers can then apply to the Police Authority for funding.
The Authority encourages any member of the public with an idea for a project or initiative that could help solve a problem in their community, to approach their local SNT. Visit www.safersuffolk.org.uk to find your local SNT.
Examples of successful partnership funding include:
Felixstowe and District SNT’s hosting of a Culture Fair in Felixstowe in September 2010.
The aim of the event, which was held at Felixstowe Leisure Centre and attracted over 400 visitors, was to promote cultural understanding between all those living and working in Felixstowe and to celebrate the diverse make-up of the town’s communities. The Partnership Fund provided funding for the event.
A range of displays and attractions were on offer including displays from Team Spirit, an athletic cheerleading squad and the Deben Jutes Basketball team, a chocolate fountain and demonstrations of chocolate tempering organised by Bonnet restaurant, henna tattoos, Indian jewellery, costumes and food provided by the Muslim community and Bombay Night restaurant. Polish food was organised by The Orwell Hotel, and live music was performed by John Wilmshurst guitar tuition with some of his students.
Inspector Steve Gallant of Felixstowe and District SNT said: “I am extremely pleased with the success of the event.
“It is very important that all of the diverse communities that make up Felixstowe value and appreciate each other’s backgrounds and cultures. Our aim was to promote this through the Culture Fair, by encouraging communication and understanding between different groups, whilst also displaying the fantastic offerings that our local groups and businesses have to offer.
“The feedback we received from visitors was extremely positive, with many who attended stating that they had learned more about the different cultures in our community and had enjoyed tasting the foods and trying the activities on offer.
“An important part of the work of SNTs is to create safe, confident and cohesive communities, and events like this allow us to encourage this. The Culture Fair brought together police, local councils, local businesses and the public and I hope it was successful in developing strong links between the many communities in our town.”
Sudbury and Great Cornard SNT tackled one of their priorities of anti-social vehicle use by holding a multi-agency enforcement evening on Friday 30th July 2010.
Traffic officers directed vehicles into a car park in an area in Sudbury that had been suffering from anti-social vehicle use, and examined the vehicles for any faults. Any offenders were given advice or a warning and advised to watch a ‘Learn and Live’ presentation, delivered by Suffolk Fire and Rescue and the SNT, which was funded by the Partnership Fund. This was a 40-minute hard-hitting presentation, designed to give young people an insight into the dangers of irresponsible vehicle use and the devastating consequences it causes. Topics covered in the presentation included speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelts and mobile phones.
Police Constable Barry Simpson from Sudbury and Great Cornard SNT said: “The evening helped us to directly tackle the priority in an informative and educational manner. The presentation was designed to make young drivers think about their actions and encourage them to drive more safely.”
Beccles and Bungay SNT used the fund to tackle burglaries in Bungay in April 2010.
The SNT was awarded nearly £750 to purchase shed alarms and garage locks to be issued to vulnerable residents, following an increase in break-ins during December 2009 and January 2010.
Members of the SNT held street meets at garden centres in Bungay and Barnby over the three weekends leading up to Easter, at which the alarms and locks were given out to selected members of the public. They were given to people identified as being vulnerable or who may not have been in a position to be able to pay for security upgrades themselves. The devices were then fitted by the resident or by partner agency Waveney DC Housing.
Sergeant Kevin Howell of Beccles and Bungay SNT said: “We are very grateful to the Police Authority for granting us this money through the Partnership Fund.
“Along with local residents, we were concerned over the increase in shed and garage burglaries, so this issue was a top priority for us. To tackle the problem, we increased foot patrols in the affected areas, and being able to provide locks and alarms to those residents identified as vulnerable, gave extra security and reassurance to those who had been anxious and concerned over these crimes. The devices also served as a strong deterrent to would-be thieves.
“The street meets held at the garden centres were a great way for us to engage with members of the public, to listen to their concerns and where necessary, to issue them with locks and alarms.”
Ipswich Central SNT benefited from the fund by using it to help run the Waterfront Community Centre Winter Celebration in December 2009.
The event was held at the Waterfront Community Centre on Grimwade Street in Ipswich. The Centre is well established, and works with the local Polish Community, along with vulnerable people and the homeless. The festive event was open to all members of the local community and provided an opportunity for members of the SNT to engage with them, offering help and support and improving relationships. Attendees were provided with a comfortable location, with seasonal activities, food and drink, and were able to engage with local providers who were there to offer help and support.
Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Tony Ramirez, who applied for the Partnership Funding said: “We were very pleased with the Winter Celebration and felt it was a great success. Attendance was high and it was effective in introducing new people to the centre and demonstrating the support available to them. We are very grateful to the Police Authority for supporting our application and providing the funds needed to hold this event, as it helped us tackle one of our key priorities of engaging with local residents.”