Author and Job Role: Toma Bennett, Criminal Justice Policy & Commissioning Officer
Protective Marking: Official
Executive Summary:
The Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey is responsible for commissioning services that support victims of crime, improve community safety, tackle child exploitation, and prevent reoffending. For the financial year 2026/27 the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner used a proportion of locally derived funding to support the delivery of local services.
Application for Standard Grant Award above £5,000 – PCC Fund
Circles South East – Reducing Sexual Harm & Violence Perpetrator Support Project – Rebekah Saunders
Brief overview of service/decision – To award £50,000 (an uplift to the existing agreement) to Circles South East for their reducing sexual harm and violence perpetrator support project.
Reason for funding – 1) To reduce reoffending – Circles SE is a community-based organisation that supports local Police and Probation to reduce sexual violence, in all its forms and support the risk management of those who commit acts of sexual violence. Using specifically trained and experienced volunteers recruited from local communities, offering a range of interventions, helping to prevent further re-offending by addressing known criminological factors that contribute to reoffending.
2) Protecting people from harm and preventing violence against women and girls in Surrey – The consequences of sexual violence are detrimental to both the individual victim and the wider community. The insidious nature of this is evidenced in the damaging and detrimental outcomes, often long term, for the victim, and their family.
Reason for uplift – 1) Increase the dedicated Coordinator time from 2 – 4 days a week,
2) Increase capacity and annual delivery figures from 10 to a minimum of 20 SU’s and potentially more (depending on type of support)
3) Increase active volunteer recruitment across Surrey and Provide access to specialist training menu
4) Widen delivery opportunities – greater opportunity to allocate the full Circle model if required for specific high-risk referrals
5)Provide additional capacity to develop new pilot project attached to current areas of interest identified by the Police
Recommendation
That the Commissioner supports this standard grant application to the PCC Fund and awards to the following;
- £50,000 to Circles South East
Police and Crime Commissioner Approval
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy in Office)
Date: 15th April 2026
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration
Consultation
Consultation has taken place with appropriate lead officers depending on the application. All applications have been asked to supply evidence of any consultation and community engagement.
Financial implications
All applications have been asked to confirm the organisation hold accurate financial information. They are also asked to include the total costs of the project with breakdown where the money will be spent; any additional funding secured or applied for and plans for on-going funding. The Reducing Reoffending Fund Decision Panel/Criminal Justice policy officers considers the financial risks and opportunities when looking at each application.
Legal
Legal advice is taken on an application-by-application basis.
Risks
The Reducing reoffending Fund Decision Panel and Criminal Justice policy officers considers any risks in the allocation of funding. It is also part of the process to consider when refusing an application, the service delivery risks if appropriate.
Equality and diversity
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate equality and diversity information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Equality Act 2010
Risks to human rights
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate human rights information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Human Rights Act.