£100,000 seized by Merseyside Police to be donated to local community projects

Merseyside Police is urging community groups across Merseyside to apply for a share of £100,000, taken from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), to deliver projects that bring people together and help prevent crime.

Over the past three years, more than £300,000 cash and assets stripped from criminals has been reinvested back into good causes in communities across Merseyside through the Community Cashback Fund, supporting grassroots initiatives that make our region safer and stronger.

Grassroots organisations, charities and voluntary groups can bid for grants of up to £5,000 to fund projects which promote diversity, equality and inclusion and are designed to foster greater understanding between different communities.

Around 20 grants will be available for projects which have a focus on improving community cohesion, raising awareness of the impact of hate crime and challenging harmful attitudes towards other people.

The Community Cashback Fund is one of several initiatives that take place throughout the year which enables the PCC and Merseyside Police to reinvest some of the money seized from criminals back into local communities to help provide vital resources and fund community projects across Merseyside.

Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:

“Merseyside prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive region, but we know the harm that stereotypes and hate-fuelled attitudes can cause if left unchecked and unchallenged. They can lead to serious crimes with devastating consequences for individuals and communities.

“That’s why this year’s Community Cashback Fund is once again focused on projects that promote equality, diversity and inclusion, strengthen community cohesion, and tackle hate crime before it takes root.

“By reinvesting money seized from criminals into positive initiatives, we’re turning bad money into good, supporting local organisations that work tirelessly to prevent crime and make our communities safer and stronger.”

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Rob Carden said:

“The Community Cashback Fund is a great initiative, which gives communities the ability to come together and prevent crime within their areas.

“Using money taken from criminals to fund initiatives in local communities is giving local people the ability to make a positive difference in their area.

“Grassroots initiatives have already benefitted from more than £300,000 cash to support their local areas. If you are a charity or community group in the area and haven’t applied for funding yet this is your opportunity to get some support and make your area safer for those who live there.”

The fund is being managed by the Community Foundation for Merseyside.

James Proctor, Programme Director said:

“Community Cashback is a fantastic fund that invests in our local charities and community organisations who provide crime prevention initiatives with a focus on promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

“We have seen from previous grants awarded how supporting projects which enhance community cohesion and understanding, and reduce harmful attitudes and behaviours can help our diverse communities to feel safe, increase a sense of pride in local community and empower people to positively act in standing against hate”

Some examples of the types of work that can be funded include:

• Community integration and cohesion delivery focused on fostering understanding between different communities, particularly between communities of a different ethnic background, or different faith (or no faith), or between communities and migrants.
• Programmes for adults or young people which seek to challenge and change potential negative/harmful attitudes and behaviours towards other people of a different ethnic background, or sexuality/identity, or who are living with a disability.
• Intervention for men/young men to change potential negative/harmful attitudes and behaviours towards girls/women.
• Activities that seek to prevent and raise awareness about the impact of hate crime.
• Social action projects that seek to raise awareness and address issues affecting historically marginalised people and their rights.
• LGBTQ+ inclusion and pride delivery to help people to feel safe in their communities.
• Raising awareness to prevent exploitation or ‘mate crime’ committed against people with learning differences or people living with disability.
• Advice and information that allows people at risk of discrimination to know their rights

Applications are open now and will close at 4pm on Friday 13^th February.

You can apply for the Merseyside Police initiative here.

Merseyside Police is supporting community groups in other ways too, read more here.

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