Charities on Merseyside are set to receive £100,000 worth of funds reclaimed from criminals.
The Community Cashback Fund allows Merseyside Police to reinvest money reclaimed from criminals “into local communities to help provide vital resources and fund community projects”, according to its website.
These funds are available to reinvest because of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which allows for “the recovery of criminal assets” chiefly to “deny criminals the use of their assets, recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality”.
The recovered assets available through the CCF have been allocated to more than 20 charities including £5,000 for South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services, £4,920 for Granby Somali Women’s Group and £5,000 for The Independence Initiative.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, 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.”
The goal of these investments is 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”, according to the police website.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Our work to stop criminals is ongoing and relentless. It’s fantastic to see the number of community initiatives that will benefit from money seized from criminals, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“It pays dividends when the money, seized by the force through positive and proactive work, can be shared with worthy causes that benefit the communities who are often blighted by crime.”
The scheme is one of many across the country that uses the PoCA to redistribute dirty money to good causes, including Operation Payback in Northumbria which has distributed more than £1m in funding since 2020.