UK: seized cash benefits communities

Around £2m seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act is to be used to fund a series of local projects to benefit 12 communities in Scotland. The areas benefiting from the funding are Govan and Barlanark in Glasgow, Holyrood and Muirhouse in Edinburgh, Greenock East Central and Port Glasgow East in Inverclyde, St James and Ferguslie in Renfrewshire, Dumbarton North and Whitecrook in West Dunbartonshire, and Stevenson North and Irvine West in North Ayrshire. Local community partnerships operating in these areas have been asked by the Scottish Executive to submit proposals for projects to use the funding that will aim to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in their areas. It has outlined four key themes for proposed projects: – Sports activities that give disaffected young people something positive to do in their spare time and divert them from crime and anti-social behaviour – Vehicle-related initiatives such as community transport or graffiti clean-up vehicles – School packages including after-hours clubs or youth outreach work – Anti-drug campaigns Cathy Jamieson, Justice Minister for Scotland, said: “We are sending a clear message to criminals – in Scotland crime doesn’t pay but criminals do?We will ensure that the people living in our most vulnerable communities see these criminals and dealers empty their pockets back into local resources.” www.scotland.gov.uk