Altogether the SIA has awarded a total of £113,000 to nine charities and community enterprise groups. The grants will come from a special SIA fund that uses ill-gotten cash confiscated from individuals convicted of criminal offences within the private security industry.
The awards and beneficiaries for the grants are:
- £25,000 to EY Foundation: Secure Futures programme (a previous beneficiary)
- £20,000 to The Prince's Trust for 'Get Into' Security initiative (a previous beneficiary)
- £13,630 to ProtectEd, for its SecurED research initiative
- £12,500 to PTSD Resolution, rehabilitation for former service personnel, many of whom are security personnel suffering mental health issues following active service
- £10,000 to Argus Community Interest Company, which offers specialist security training in County Durham
- £10,000 to Young Enterprise, for its initiative to support 600 students in Stoke
- £10,000 to Global Vision Initiative, a Manchester-based community enterprise supporting women and girls from a range of communities
- £7,257 to Samsons Academy for its SIA Training and Certification Courses in Bedford
- £4,619 to Banana Enterprise Network for the purchase of personal alarms and a safety app for this Bolton based charity
Pete Easterbrook, the SIA's Head of Criminal Enforcement, said:
We believe that crime should not pay, so it's fitting that illegally acquired money should be taken from criminals and used for the benefit of society and, especially for the protection of the public.
This money will support organisations with a focus on protecting the public. This includes charities actively preventing violence against women and girls; supporting young people who are searching for post-education careers in security and protecting vulnerable people in higher education.
Money from this fund will also continue to support the rehabilitation of service personnel with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA said:
We are delighted to award nine charities and social enterprises from the funds derived from court orders following our pursuit of the proceeds of crime. This year's beneficiaries are a reflection of some great work underway by charities from across the UK all contributing to public protection.
