Commissioner visits Blackpool project backed with cash seized from criminals

Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner visited a project that has received funding to make Blackpool safer, utilising cash seized from criminals.

Commissioner Grunshaw joined Chris Webb MP in visiting Brian Rose Boxing Academy to hear how funding, provided through the Commissioner’s Community Fund, is supporting work with young people to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Money invested has helped to fund a minibus to increase the scope and impact of the community engagement happening through Brian Rose Boxing, ensuring access to training and events whilst helping to access more isolated areas to offer support.

The project itself targets young people between 11 and 18 years of age and offers positive alternatives through boxing and mentorship through their base at Blackpool Leisure Centre.

Funding was provided through the Member of Parliament strand of the Community Fund which sees all MPs across the county, who understand their areas and the organisations working in them to prevent crime and reoffending, able to support applications that will make a material difference in their constituencies.

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire said;

“My Community Fund provides different ways for local projects that strive to make their areas safer to access funding, deliver new schemes, test out ideas and expand on existing work – all using cash seized from criminals.

“This funding, available for all Lancashire Members of Parliament and provided to organisations in their constituencies, is one way we are focusing on prevention, breaking the cycles of offending and stopping people getting involved in criminality in the first place.

“It was great to see first-hand how investment into Brian Rose Boxing is already making a difference in the Blackpool area, and helping expand the fantastic work Brian is already doing. It’s local projects like this that can make all the difference in peoples lives and divert them from offending into positive activity.

“As Commissioner I will continue work with the Chief Constable and partners across Lancashire to tackle crime and keep people safe.”

Chris Webb MP for Blackpool South said:

“Since being elected, I’ve been a strong advocate for grassroots boxing gyms which I firmly believe have the power to tackle anti-social behaviour among young people. Brian Rose Boxing Academy is a perfect example of how this works in practice – taking scores of young people off the streets each evening and channelling their energy into something positive and healthy, instilling discipline, respect and resilience.

“As Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Boxing, I’ve been working in Parliament to expand the reach and recognition of grassroots boxing and reinforce the sport’s value as a pathway to confidence and opportunity. Here at home in Blackpool, I’m really pleased to have helped secure funding for this invaluable local project. I’m grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for ensuring that money seized from criminals is being reinvested back into our communities, supporting organisations that are making a real difference to young people’s lives.”

Brian Rose added:

“Big thanks to Clive Grunshaw’s Community Fund. The support helped us secure a minibus for our amateurs to travel for sparring and competitions across the country, and support our alternative schools work across Blackpool.

“Giving kids the chance to choose the right path in life, this is what it’s all about.”