The High Sheriff'S Police Trust For The County Of The West Midlands

Charity 1075800

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

The trust appears to occupy a focused intermediary role in West Midlands crime prevention: rather than delivering support directly, it channels grants to local voluntary projects serving young people. Its stated purpose combines early intervention around substance misuse with diversion from crime and a wider ambition to improve community safety. The connection to West Midlands Police gives it a distinctive institutional position, potentially enabling it to translate policing concerns into community-led preventative activity, though the evidence does not show how funding decisions are made or what outcomes result.

See observations

Operational geography

No operational geography is currently available for this organisation.

Areas of work

Source:Charity Commission
  • Economic/community Development/employment
  • Education/training

Who they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Children/young People
  • Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies

How they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Makes Grants To Organisations

Discoveries involving this organisation

The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

Observations

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

  • A prevention fund operating between policing and community action

    The trust appears to use grant-making to connect a police-force-associated perspective on safety with charitable projects working in communities. This may position it as a bridge rather than a frontline provider.

    Why it matters

    Understanding this intermediary role helps distinguish the trust from youth services or policing itself: its potential influence lies in which local approaches it enables and legitimises.

    Show evidence

    • “Building Blocks is the West Midlands Police Forces charitable trust.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “Makes Grants To Organisations”

      Source:Organisation

  • Youth diversion is the strategic centre, not a broad safety remit

    Although its charitable objects allow broad crime-prevention activity, the stated operational focus appears concentrated on young people, substance misuse and diversion from crime. This suggests an early-intervention theory of safer communities.

    Why it matters

    This clarifies that community safety is pursued through upstream support for young people, rather than primarily through responses to crime after it occurs.

    Show evidence

    • “Its main focus is youth and projects which tackle the issues of drug abuse and diverting young people from crime.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “TO PROMOTE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT A SAFER AND INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY FROM CRIMINAL ACTS.”

      Source:Charity Commission

  • Geographic restriction may make local knowledge especially consequential

    Funding is confined to West Midlands county, suggesting the trust is designed to deepen place-specific impact rather than support a wider national portfolio. Its grant choices may therefore shape which local youth-prevention capabilities are sustained.

    Why it matters

    The county boundary makes local relationships, unmet needs and the distribution of grants particularly important to understanding its civic contribution.

    Show evidence

    • “Only funds projects which are within the West Midlands county.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “Who the charity helps: Children/young People, Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    Remaining uncertainties

  • Which organisations and communities receive grants, and whether any groups or areas are underrepresented.
  • How grants are selected, governed and connected to West Midlands Police priorities.
  • Whether funded projects achieve reduced harm, improved wellbeing or diversion from crime.

    Additional evidence needed

  • Recent grant lists showing recipients, amounts, locations, purposes and repeat funding.
  • Impact reporting, funding criteria and evidence of how young people or community organisations inform decisions.
Charity Commission profile
Source:Charity Commission

Activities

Building Blocks is the West Midlands Police Forces charitable trust and only funds projects which are within the West Midlands county. Its main focus is youth and projects which tackle the issues of drug abuse and diverting young people from crime.

Charity objects

TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN PARTICULAR YOUNG PEOPLE IN ALL MATTERS RELATING TO ALCOHOL,DRUG AND SOLVENT ABUSE (AND THE CONSEQUENT EFFECTS OF SUCH ABUSE) AND TO THE EFFECTS OF CRIME GENERALLY. TO PROMOTE OR SUPPORT ACTIVITIES WHICH ENCOURAGE THE MENTAL,MORAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE (WHILST DIVERTING THEM AWAY FROM CRIME AND OR DRUG,ALCOHOL OR SOLVENT ABUSE). TO PROMOTE FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT A SAFER AND INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AND THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY FROM CRIMINAL ACTS. TO UNDERTAKE SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME DETERMINE.