Community groups in Kirkby, Merseyside, can apply for a share of a £100,000 Community Cashback Fund made up of assets seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). The 2026 round is being administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside on behalf of the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with Merseyside Police. Grassroots organisations, charities, faith groups and resident associations can bid for grants of up to £5,000.
The 2026 fund is focused on community cohesion, equality and inclusion, with priority given to projects that prevent hate crime, challenge harmful attitudes and provide positive activities for people at risk of offending. Local groups such as Kirkby Neighbourhood Watch are being encouraged to apply for work that reduces crime, tackles anti-social behaviour or supports vulnerable people.
According to CrimeRate, Kirkby’s overall crime rate for 2025 was about 85.38 crimes per 1,000 people — marginally above the Merseyside rate (about 85.13 per 1,000). The PCC and partner agencies say the funding aims to reinvest assets seized from criminals back into communities to help address these local problems through diversionary youth activity, cohesion projects and community-led prevention.
As reported by Knowsley News, the fund is open to charities, voluntary and faith groups and resident associations; successful applicants must demonstrate how their project will reduce crime or protect people from being targeted because of who they are. Applications are being accepted via the Community Foundation for Merseyside website (the application window for this round closes at 4pm on Friday 13 February 2026), and projects are normally required to be delivered by March 2027.
Local officials say they hope the grants will support improvements in the town centre, Northwood, Tower Hill and surrounding housing estates during 2026 and into 2027, helping residents reclaim public spaces and build stronger community ties.
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