A former Police Community Support Officer is on a new mission to fight crime across North Wales using cash seized from villains.<\/p>\n
Kelsey Reed has just been appointed as the project manager for the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) which provides funding for local initiatives across the region.<\/p>\n
Since being established in 1998, the organisation has given more than \u00a32 million towards projects across the region \u2013 appropriately, much of it money confiscated from criminals and recycled for the public good.<\/p>\n
PACT works closely with North Wales Police\u2019s neighbourhood policing teams, particularly the network of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).<\/p>\n
The organisation\u2019s main focus is to provide funding to community and voluntary groups for schemes that improve people\u2019s quality of life by reducing crime or the fear of crime.<\/p>\n
Over the past quarter of a century projects in communities in every single county in North Wales have benefited from PACT funding.<\/p>\n
They include the pioneering Justice in a Day drama workshops with schools across the region,\u00a0 giving young people a taste of how the criminal justice system works and the devastating effect crime can have on families and the community.<\/p>\n
It was during her time working as PCSO that Kelsey developed her passion for crime prevention.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI really enjoyed being a PCSO and an opportunity came up to go on a secondment specialising in community\u00a0 safety and I loved it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where my interest in crime prevention started and I subsequently worked as a designing out crime officer with North Wales Police, giving specialist advice and guidance to architects at all stages through the planning system and how to address any issues on estates that have already been built.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been involved with PACT over the years in little bits and pieces from my previous roles and I saw how much of a positive difference these brilliant initiatives can make to local communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s an element of poetic justice going on here as well because a lot of the funding that you\u2019re able to hand out is essentially money that\u2019s been seized from criminals, so it\u2019s a really good news story about reducing crime and reducing the fear of crime.<\/p>\n
PACT chair Ashley Rogers was delighted to welcome Kelsey to her new role.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely fantastic.\u00a0 Not only did we celebrate our 25th<\/sup> anniversary last year but we now have a brand new team member who\u2019s already got some great experience in the force.<\/p>\n \u201cHer background is absolutely ideal and I think Kelsey will be a driving force for PACT as we move forward, which means a lot more projects being supported across North Wales.<\/p>\n \u201cThe work of PACT is more relevant than ever and the combination of the events of the last few years means that communities\u2019 needs and projects\u2019 needs are far greater now than they were.<\/p>\n \u201cThe types of project we support, means that PACT\u2019s able to get involved in communities right across every single county at all different levels and that\u2019s including sports, support for victims of domestic abuse, whatever it might be, we\u2019re there to help the communities of North Wales.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have funded well over 2,500 projects and there isn\u2019t a community we haven\u2019t supported financially and as we move forward with Kelsey now in place, we\u2019ll keep on driving that and doing more good.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very much the Robin Hood type of scenario where we are returning something that has been taken from our communities and giving that money back, essentially turning bad money into good money.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are encouraging community organisations to apply for funding for projects that will have a positive impact, particularly those which have a long-term vision reflecting the rich diversity of our area and work in collaboration with others to prevent problems occurring.<\/p>\n \u201cApplicants should talk to their local PCSO or directly to PACT to see if we can help projects in your community.\u00a0 That\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n Application forms for funding can be obtained via the PACT website\u00a0 <\/strong>www.pactnorthwales.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> or by emailing\u00a0 <\/strong>enquiries@pactnorthwales.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> while those wanting to discuss their ideas can contact Kelsey Reed on 07557 849990.<\/strong><\/p>\n