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See other news storiesMillions in seized assets to be used to pay communities back
15 October 2009
Communities across the country are today benefiting as ill-gotten gains confiscated from criminals are used to fund worthwhile community projects.
The £4m community cashback scheme (new window) gives local people a direct say on how criminal assets are spent. The new scheme is funded by cash and assets seized from criminals.
More than 45,000 votes were received from members of the public for 1,225 community projects via a dedicated website, neighbourhood policing meetings and through citizens’ panels. A total of 269 projects will receive a share of the fund with work now beginning on the first projects.
Schemes benefiting include:
- renovating a burnt out skate park near Brighton
- funding for the 'Young people against knife crime' project to visit schools in Merseyside
- renovating a derelict BMX track in Rochdale
- opening a cricket club for young people in Newcastle
- restoring a derelict churchyard around a community centre in an industrial area of Sheffield.
'Only right' that criminals pay back for their crimes
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, 'It is only right that criminals are made to pay back for their crimes. The community cashback fund ensures some of their ill-gotten gains are ploughed back into local communities.
'Seizing assets deprives criminals of money, reduces the incentive for crime and promotes fairness and confidence in the criminal justice system. I’m glad so many people have got involved either by putting forward plans to improve their neighbourhoods or voting for their favourite project.'
Projects to help tackle local crime
Each project has to help tackle antisocial or criminal behaviour locally and show the community had made it clear this was something they wanted to see.
Until now money recovered from criminals has been split between frontline services, such as the police, and government departments involved with the criminal justice system. This is the first time communities can influence how that money is spent.
Home Office figures show the value of assets recovered from criminals in 08/09 rose to an all time high of £148m. This is up from £136m recovered in 07/08.
The community cashback fund is a pilot scheme for 09/10.
