The Trust was formed with the aim of improving the quality of life in the Borough of Medway, particularly through the improvement of public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder and alcohol, drug and solvent abuse. Streetcops Trust exists to support Neighbourhood Policing in Medway - particularly by providing funds for projects proposed by Neighbourhood Police Officers for which there is no public funding.
If local residents have ideas for similar projects requiring some money, approaches should be made via their Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator or the local Neighbourhood Police Officer in the first instance. The Police Officer or PCSO will then put in a request to the Chairman of the Trust, to be considered by the Trust Committee. The Committee will consider the request, to make sure that the crime prevention criteria are met, and if so, will release funds as quickly as possible, via the Police Officer or PCSO.
Projects should be small in scale, local and designed to support the work of the Officer(s) concerned in their neighbourhood. Streetcops does not have any set rules and so can respond to imaginative projects that will work towards the achievement of its objectives.
Examples of successful bids include a request for help with CCTV at a local church, Fun Days for local young people, and repair work carried out by the original vandals under Police supervision.
Streetcops offer cash boost to church fund
A local church has benefited from an unexpected Christmas gift following fundraising efforts by The Streetcops Trust. At midnight mass on Christmas Eve local neighbourhood officer, PC Mark Pearson presented a cheque for £500 to Reverend John Currie at St William’s Church, Walderslade. The money is to be put towards the church’s CCTV fund.The church has been subjected to vandalism and antisocial behaviour and it is anticipated that CCTV coverage will help alleviate the problems experienced.
PC Mark Pearson commented: “The Streetcops Trust is proud to support the fundraising efforts of the church and I hope that the money will help them move one step closer to achieving the CCTV system. I was delighted to be able to present the cheque to the church who are at the centre of the community and do not deserve the problems they have experienced. Together we can make a difference and beat the vandals.”
£5000 is needed to pay for the installation of the CCTV system. In the last five years antisocial vandals have caused thousands-of-pounds worth of damage at the church.
