Community Cashback
PROJECTS NOMINATED BY THE PUBLIC SECURE CRIMINALS’ CASH
6 publicly nominated projects in Lincolnshire are celebrating their success as one of 269 projects nationally that have secured funding allocated from the ill gotten gains of criminals.
The funding was made available through the Government’s recently launched Community Cashback scheme, where ‘cashback’ from criminals’ seized assets, such as confiscated cash or property, has been earmarked to fund worthwhile community projects.
In Lincolnshire19 projects were nominated and 2511 responses were received from members of the public on which projects they would like to see funded.
The projects are Boston CCTV Project which receives £19,000, 2160 (Sleaford) Squadron Air Training Corps which receives £5,000, Sutton Bridge Motor Project which receives £8,000, YaSiG (Young and Safe in Gainsborough) Motor X Project which receives £17,000, Lincolnshire Mentoring Project (Countywide) which receives £13,000 and Stop me getting away with this (Boston) which receives £10,000.
The £4 million Community Cashback fund was announced back in May and the Local Criminal Justice Board in Lincolnshire was able to submit project proposals for funding up to their area maximum of £95,000.
Successful bids needed to show how the local community was involved in suggesting the project, demonstrate good value for money and be related in some way to tackling antisocial or criminal behaviour locally.
Sarah Virr, Programme Manager of the Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board said:
“The public response to Community Cashback in Lincolnshire has been huge and we thank everyone that took the time to either nominate projects or ‘have their say’ on which project they feel would benefit from the funding in our area.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to respond to the communities’ needs and that the ill-gotten gains of criminals will now be channelled into projects that will make a real positive difference to the local community and the lives of individuals.
“We hope that Community Cashback has given people the opportunity to have a stronger voice in the Criminal Justice System in Lincolnshire.”
The Government's Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey said:
“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.
“The message behind Community Cashback 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.”