Proceeds of Crime Return to the Community
Peter McCall, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner is pleased to announce the new successful applicants of the Property Fund this week, with successful applicants ranging from Plumpton, Ulverston, Maryport and Brampton for example.
In 1973, the Powers of Criminal Courts Act (POCA) gave Police and Crime Commissioner’s the power to distribute money from the Property Fund which is created from proceeds of the sale of items that cannot be returned to identified owners, which includes seizures from criminals. This means that money seized from convicted criminals under POCA is re-invested back into local communities.
Peter McCall comments: “Taking money from often the ill-gotten gains of criminals and re-investing it into the community can only be a good thing.
“Local people make applications based on what matters most to them and what will make a real difference to them. I am particularly focused on projects which give our young people positive values, help develop resilience, confidence and a sense of ownership and responsibility to their local communities to help break that cycle of criminality.
“One example of a recent Property Fund project is with Barrow AFC, where funding has enabled the club to purchase an inflatable football arena and a 16 week coaching programme for young people in Barrow town centre, for the next three years. These type of resources provide mobile and flexible diversionary activities where they are needed most and give young people easier access to active and healthy clubs in their free time.
“Another project is an information sharing system for Carlisle Retailers and Cumbria police in the form of an App, which pre-warns group users of any anti-social behaviour or stealing that may be happening in the town. The instant messaging provides ‘live’ updates of when an offender has become violent or aggressive. This also improves the safety of Carlisle’s retail staff, security, police and therefore the public.
“I urge members of the public to contact me if they would like to provide positive opportunities within their community and be involved in a project. All information of how to apply can be found on my website and I am always very encouraged by the number of innovative ideas people have and just how much time volunteers are willing to give to help create a sense of community belonging in the towns and villages where we live.”
Inspector Jim Bailey comments: “Whether it is being able to buy some new kit or updating community club resources, the Property Fund is an excellent example of how much difference funding can make to volunteers and clubs.
“Community groups often reply on people giving them an extra ‘leg up’ and having the opportunity to apply for grants that we know will be spent locally, on projects and people that need it most, is vital.”
Please note that the next deadline date for Property Fund applicants is 31st August 2019 and for further details, guideline and guidance of how to apply see https://cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/what-we-do/funding/property-fund/
