Community cashback: recovered criminal assests available for new community facilities
Members of the public will be able to fund community projects with assets recovered from criminals – as much as £148 million in 2008/2009, up from £136 million in 2007/2008.
Communities will be able to register their views on a new website Community Cashback, at neighbourhood policing meetings and through Citizens' Panels. Examples of community action likely to be supported include renovating a vandalised play area, investing in a youth centre or installing security measures on a housing estate, says the Home Office.
Louise Casey, the Government's crime and justice adviser, said: It is only right that the public should have a say on how cash from criminals is spent in their community.'
The figures were released as Home Secretary Alan Johnson said a fraction of these ill-gotten gains - £4 million - will be paid back into communities at a grassroots level for the first time. Mr Johnson said the £4 million Community Cashback pilot scheme would give people 'a stronger voice' in changing their lives.
A total of £23.6 million recovered between January and April 2009 will also be paid back to frontline services, with a total £7 million to be shared between all police forces in England and Wales.
Mr Johnson added: 'Schemes like Community Cashback fund are only successful if people use them. We are giving local people a stronger voice; I hope they will use it.'
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