£50,000 fund opens to support safer communities across Cheshire

Community groups across Cheshire can bid for grants of up to £2,500 as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Dan Price, reopens his SWAP Fund for a third year.

Groups that have ideas to deliver projects to reduce crime, improve community safety and prevent people from becoming involved in criminal behaviour are encouraged to apply for the money.

Funded through money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act, the SWAP Fund reinvests assets seized from criminals directly back into local communities.

The latest round marks another significant milestone for the SWAP Fund. Once this year's money has been awarded, more than £500,000 will have been invested into projects across Cheshire under Dan Price’s term as PCC.

The fund supports practical, community-led initiatives that contribute to crime prevention and early intervention, helping to build safer, stronger and more resilient communities. This could include mentoring programmes, community engagement schemes and targeted support for vulnerable groups where there is a clear link to reducing crime, preventing anti-social behaviour or improving community safety.

Primal Mentality who’ve been supported previously said:

“The funding enabled us to work with young people who were at risk of becoming further disengaged from education and positive community activities. By working in partnership with Halton Youth Justice Service, we were able to provide a consistent, supportive environment where participants developed confidence, learnt new skills and built positive relationships.”

Dan Price, Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“Having visited many of the projects supported through the fund, I've seen first-hand the impact they are having on local people and experienced the passion and commitment of those that organise the opportunities.

"If you've got an idea that could make a difference in your community, I'd encourage you to put an application in. By backing local people and local organisations, we can continue building stronger, safer communities and creating opportunities for residents right across Cheshire.

The PCC is inviting funding applications that address at least one of the following priorities:

• Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
• Improving community safety
• Supporting the delivery of policing and crime prevention outcomes
• Preventing individuals from becoming involved in criminal behaviour
• Increasing community resilience and confidence

The application window is now open and closes on Monday 30th November 2026 at 9am.

More information about the SWAP Fund and the application form can be found on the PCC’s website.

The Commissioner is keen to support projects that contribute to one or more priorities within the Police and Crime Plan.

All applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed activity will contribute to crime reduction, community safety, prevention, or other policing-related outcomes.

Projects may fall within one or more of the following categories:

Support for children and young people

This may include holiday activities, youth provision, mentoring programmes, diversionary activities, or youth engagement projects that help reduce vulnerability, prevent involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour, or improve community safety.

Promotion of wellbeing

Sports, leisure, arts or wellbeing activities may be funded where applicants can demonstrate a clear connection to reducing crime, improving safety, building resilience, or preventing social issues that can contribute to criminal activity.

Reducing isolation and promoting inclusion

Projects supporting marginalised communities, vulnerable individuals, or under-represented groups where there is a clear benefit to community cohesion, safety, confidence, or crime prevention.

Early intervention and prevention

Specialist mentoring, skills development, diversionary activities, educational programmes, crime prevention initiatives, and targeted support aimed at preventing offending, reducing reoffending, or addressing identified community safety concerns.

Pictured - Dan Price, Cheshire PCC visiting Rage Fitness, a previous recipient of the fund.