Community Cashback
COMMUNITIES SET TO BENEFIT FROM CASHBACK FROM CRIMINALS
Communities in Salford, Rochdale and Manchester could benefit from ‘cashback’ from criminals as millions of pounds in seized assets are to be spent on worthwhile projects nominated by members of the public.
Successful bids will have to show how the local community is involved in suggesting the project, demonstrate good value for money and be related in some way to tackling antisocial or criminal behaviour locally. The Local Criminal Justice Board in Greater Manchester will be able to submit project proposals for funding up to their area maximum of £95,000. The £4 million Community Cashback fund, which is part of a national allocation, will be made available for local schemes nominated through a dedicated website - http://cashback.cjsonline.gov.uk - at neighbourhood policing meetings or through Citizens’ Panels.
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
“It gives me great pleasure to hand over the ill gotten gains of criminals to pay for community projects that matter most in people’s neighbourhoods.
“The Community Cashback fund will help to make a real difference to people’s lives up and down the country - whether it’s installing security measures in a block of flats, restoring a vandalised play area or helping launch a youth club.
“This scheme gives members of the public a greater voice within the criminal justice system and complements our recently launched Community Payback Scheme which lets the public vote on what community punishments local criminals are sent to work on.”
The Government's Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey said:
“It is only right that the public should have a say on how cash from criminals is spent in their community. This sends a strong message to the public that the criminal justice system cares about what they think and is on their side. This in turn might encourage more members of the public to help in the fight against crime - to pick up the phone to report a crime, stand up in court to give evidence and support others to do the same.
“Today’s announcement follows the successful results of a vote on Community Payback schemes that we publicised last week – a total of 18,000 people across the country nominated what work offenders should do to make amends for their crimes.
“The message behind Community Cashback and Community Payback is simple – the public must have a stronger voice in the criminal justice system – after all, it operates on their behalf and must have their backing.”
Richard Vince, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Criminal Justice Board said:
“The views of the local community are vital to helping us to deliver a fair and effective Criminal Justice System in Salford, Rochdale and Manchester.
“Community Cashback offers an excellent opportunity for us to respond directly to the communities’ needs, so we really encourage people to have their say on the local projects they believe would benefit from this fund.”
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 a portion of that money is being paid directly back into communities.
The Home Office has also announced the latest figures for payments made to police and other frontline agencies under the Asset Recovery Incentive Scheme. The scheme means that 50 per cent of the total money recovered through asset recovery is repaid to agencies including the police, courts, Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Organised Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs to go directly back to into their frontline work.