Steve Beasant

Communities in North East Lincolnshire could receive up to £40,000 of seized criminal assets to kickstart a range of projects to combat anti-social behaviour through a Home Office fund known as Community Cashback. 

The Home Office fund is made up of seized, liquidated assets of criminals is now being offered to communities to assist in projects that fight against crime and anti social behaviour. 

People can nominate projects on the local Criminal Justice Board website, please: >>>>CLICK HERE 

The web site includes the project and bidding criteria together with guidance notes. The deadline for nominations is August 7. 

Community projects must be seen to assist in the reduction of crime or anti-social behaviour or their impacts and arise from proven community consultation. 

Councillor Steve Beasant, the council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “This is another significant step in empowering communities to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour head-on. Using ill-gotten criminal gains to benefit communities will enable the majority of residents to have an even greater say in how justice is being seen to be done.” 

Andrew Milner, the council’s executive director for community services, said: “Funding will be used on projects that can be delivered quickly and which make a noticeable difference to the community.  

“Projects should be visible, local and related in some way to anti-social or criminal behaviour or its impacts. I would encourage community groups to look at the website and see how their excellent drive for safer and stronger communities can be assisted.” 

Spencer Hunt, the council’s service manager for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “This fund could provide floodlights, coaching sessions, music studios, alley gating and security camera systems. I am delighted the assets of criminals are set to be turned into equipment to encourage and train young people young people, or to enable elderly residents to feel safe in their own homes.” 

Speaking following the launch of the new Community Cashback, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne said: “Dirty money should go into preventing crime.  

“A good candidate would be youth projects in deprived areas to ensure that young people are diverted away from a life of crime.”