Community Cashback
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY CASHBACK BIDS ANNOUNCED
Six publicly nominated projects in North Wales 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.
Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch (OWL scheme) and North Wales Awareness of Substance and Alcohol Misuse receive their cheques from NWCJB Chair Ed Beltrami
In North Wales 53 projects were nominated and 737 responses were received from members of the public on which projects they would like to see funded.
The successful projects are:
Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association received £12,000 for an innovative Online Watch Link communication system that will send out crime alerts and community safety messages that raise awareness, increase street led intelligence and help in reducing and preventing crime and disorder.
Conwy Valley Outdoor Activities received £1,500 for a series of day challenges and stimulating activities for young people from a variety of backgrounds.
Bethesda Cemetery in Manod, Blaenau Ffestiniog received £15,000 to repair damaged graves and improve security to tackle the antisocial behaviour in the grounds.
Connahs Quay Initiative has received £7,000 for a CCTV system to combat criminal damage, drunken behaviour, youth nuisance and suspected drug activity.
North Wales Awareness of Substance and Alcohol Misuse received £28,748 for an awareness project that will educate and inform local communities across North Wales with issues related to Substance and / or Alcohol Misuse.
Re-inclusion Project at Plas Madoc, Wrexham received £5,000 for their Homework Club which will aim is to encourage re-inclusion into schools.
The £4 million Community Cashback fund was announced back in May and the Local Criminal Justice Board in North Wales was able to submit project proposals for funding.
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.
North Wales Criminal Justice Board Chairman Ed Beltrami said:
“The public response to Community Cashback in North Wales 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 North Wales.”
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said:
“It is only right that criminals are made to payback for their crimes. The Community Cashback fund ensures some of their ill gotten gains are ploughed back into local communities.
“Seizing assets deprives criminals of money, reduces the incentive for crime and promotes fairness and confidence in the criminal justice system. I’m glad so many people have got involved either by putting forward plans to improve their neighbourhoods or voting for their favourite project.”
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.”
Justice Minister Maria Eagle said:
"The Community Cashback scheme is just one way of providing communities with a stronger voice and better access to shaping the criminal justice system, and follows up on other successful initiatives including Community Payback, Community Prosecutors and restorative justice programmes. All of this aims to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done."
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC, said:
“What better way could there be to send a clear message that crime does not pay than for victims and witnesses, and young people especially, to see a tangible improvement in their communities?
“To put in place something they have asked for, paid for with money recovered from criminals, is a visual reminder of the millions that is clawed back from criminals in our courts.”