Communities across Merseyside are set to benefit from funding from Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, using money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
In June, Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner launched the Community Cashback Fund, inviting grassroots organisations and community groups across Merseyside to apply for a share of £100,000 from the fund to further develop existing projects or start new ones that focus on preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, diversion away from criminal gangs, and promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.
The Community Cashback Fund is one of several initiatives that take place throughout the year to enable Merseyside Police to reinvest some of the money seized from criminals back into local communities to help provide vital resources and fund community projects across Merseyside. It is aimed at strengthening community resilience by supporting local clubs and groups, which in turn helps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, promote diversionary activities, and support vulnerable members of the community.
Serious and organised crime poses a significant threat to our communities. Merseyside Police is committed to pursuing these criminals with the full force of the law and ensuring that the proceeds of their crimes are spent improving the communities they have brought misery to.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said: “I’m excited to announce the successful bids for our Community Cashback Fund, taking cash out of the pockets of criminals and putting it back where it belongs – into grassroots communities across Merseyside.
“Our region benefits from brilliant community organisations which are working hard to make their areas safer and stronger. We want to give our young people better opportunities and what better way than taking money from the criminal gangs who try to exploit our communities and giving it back to local people.
“From boxing to apprenticeships and youth work to crime awareness programmes, there are a fantastic range of projects benefiting from the funding and I can’t wait to see the impact this has in our communities for the months and years to come.”
More information on the successful initiatives can be found here.
