Government to redistribute confiscated criminal goods to the community

Millions of dollars worth of equipment and cash seized by the government from criminal activity is being put back into the community thanks to the new Community Cashback Scheme.

The scheme has allowed local people to have their say into how the assets are best put to use and has been rolled out by the government at a cost of £4 million. The scheme has to date received 45,000 contributions from the public via its dedicated website in conjunction with local police and citizen panels.

Some 270 new projects will be launched with the first set to begin in a matter of days. Included among the beneficiaries are a renovated BMX track in Rochdale, a new young person’s cricket club in Newcastle, restoration plans for a church and community area near Sheffield, renovating a burned down skate park in Brighton and funding for a new youth anti-crime project on Merseyside.

All of the projects are designed to promote anti-criminal behaviour and neighbourhood awareness.

Alan John, the Home Secretary, said the move was only fair as the community was the one to suffer under criminal activity. Johnson also said the benefits were twofold as criminals would be made to suffer under greater crackdowns and the community would be able to build up a greater safety system from their ill-gotten gains.

Previously money that has been recovered has gone to criminal justice departments and the police. According to the Home Office the total value of recovered assets in the past year was a record £148 million.