Southern coop

The funding will support local charities with programmes to help residents build a secure future and reduce offending

Southern Co-op has launched a new £100,000 fund to help local charities tackle retail crime.

The ‘Safer Neighbourhood Fund’ is the latest action being taken by the independent co-operative in its work to reduce crime.

Expressions of interest for funding will be open for an eight-week window from today.

Southern has identified five areas across the south it believes will benefit from community programmes tackling the causes of crime: Portsmouth, Southampton, South London, Bournemouth and Bristol.

It is expected the funding will support local charities with programmes to help residents build a secure future and reduce offending.

“We commit a lot of time and money to protecting our colleagues and customers from violent offenders,” said Gareth Lewis, Southern Co-op loss prevention and security manager. “But the stark reality is, it’s getting worse.

“Every retailer is affected, and we’ve personally seen a 69% increase in crime across our estate from 2018-2019.

“Our colleagues deserve to work in a safe environment free from harm and the fear of harm. We hope this new funding will be a step towards achieving this.”

Southern Co-op has recently invested more than £500,000 in tackling crime and already supports hundreds of local causes each year to help communities become greener, healthier, safer and more inclusive neighbourhoods.

Its head office is currently partnered with the Hampshire-based homelessness charity Society of St James, which helps those facing multiple disadvantages such as homelessness, poverty and/or substance misuse.

“We’re taking a pro-active and holistic approach to reduce offending and reoffending in areas that we believe are some of the worst affected,” said Jessica Hughes, Southern Co-op community investment manager.

“There are numerous reasons why people steal from our stores and there are charities out there that already do some great work in helping those affected by issues such as drugs, homelessness, poverty and abuse. We hope this funding will give them the boost they need to make an even greater difference to people’s lives.”

The ‘Safer Neighbourhood’ funding is available for charities operating in the following postcodes: PO1-PO6 (Portsmouth), SO14, SO15, SO16, SO30 (Southampton), BH1, BH10, BH14, BH15 (Poole/Bournemouth), BS1, BS3, BS4, BS5, BS7, BS8, BS15 (Bristol) and DA15, W13, BR7 (South London).

The Safer Neighbourhoods Fund will accept applications for charitable projects that:

  • Are from a UK registered charity or community interest company
  • Are seeking funding for work that is being delivered in Portsmouth, Southampton, South London, Bournemouth or Bristol (national charities may apply for funding to cover delivery within one or more of these areas)
  • Directly support local people affected by the key drivers of crime

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