Somerset Crimebeat

With enthusiastic co-operation from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the Probation Service, Local Authorities - particularly Community Development, Social Services, Education and Youth Services.

2004 Winners - Crispin School

Somerset Crimebeat is an exciting scheme launched in 1998. Its aim is to give children and young people up to the age of 25 an opportunity to help combat crime in the community.

It is led by the current High Sheriff of Somerset. Previous and successive High Sheriffs have also pledged their support, providing valuable continuity through the coming years.

Recent support has been given by Gerrard Investment Managers, C & J Clark International Ltd, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd, Clarke Willmott, The Drapers Company, ITV West, Michael Eavis and Foster Yeoman amongst others.

Lady Gass, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, President of Somerset Crimebeat

Current Trustees:
S.A. Evans Esq, Chairman and past High Sheriff of Somerset
Mrs F. Densham, JP and immediate past High Sheriff of Somerset
Brigadier Alastair Fyfe DL, High Sheriff of Somerset
Mr David Medlock, High Sheriff in Nomination

Co-opted Trustees:
B.M. Tanner Esq CBE, DL. High Sheriff 2003-2004
R.I. Hoddell JP. High Sheriff 2002-2003
T.H.R. Poole TD, DL. High Sheriff 2001-2002
Mrs A.B. Yeoman OBE, DL. High Sheriff 2000-2001
Mr Ray Hutton, Retired Co-ordinator

Its main objectives are:

To encourage young people’s energy into positive action and give them self worth.
To promote for the public benefit, and in particular for the young and for the elderly, a safer and increased quality of life through the prevention of crime and the protection of people of all ages and property from criminal acts.
To secure the advancement of education, particularly amongst those between the ages of five years and twenty-five years of age but also for the public benefit generally in all matters relating to crime and to alcohol, drug and other solvent abuse at large.

This exciting project provides a unique opportunity for young people to use their energy and imagination to develop specific initiatives to reduce crime.
Crimebeat is a scheme which allows young people to take control and do something about these problems. They use their initiative to come up with the ideas and Crimebeat funds their projects.

We would hope to receive applications from young people for innovative projects. The High Sheriff of Somerset is raising money to enable young people under the age of 25 to tackle issues in their community.

They are encouraged to channel energy into positive action;
If young people are not part of the solution then they are sometimes found to be part of the problem;
Crimebeat has been formed to ensure that the fight against crime involves the younger members of our society;
We need their vision and unique experiences to be channelled into preventing the causes of juvenile crime;
We can give them a role in the community of which they can be proud;
We invite youngsters throughout Somerset to come up with Crimebeat ideas to improve their local communities.

Grants of up to £1000 are available to groups who want to be part of the solution. Crimebeat ensures that such groups are responsibly led and that the projects are supervised and accountable. The Trustees are supportive of the work of the Police in Youth Watch and Junior Youth Watch.
Since 1998 the following groups are some which have been awarded Grants to continue their worthwhile work in their towns and villages. Several thousand young people in Somerset will have benefited.
Crimebeat has now made 100 Grants in the last 3 years.

Click for a list of the Grants made in 2004

Somerset Crimebeat Trust is a Registered Charity No. 1071107, whose affairs are managed by a Management Committee and a Board of Trustees.

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