Crime proceeds put back into community

Sussex Police have set up a grant scheme called Sussex Police Community Cashback which will put money raised from the proceeds of crime back during 2012/13 back into Sussex communities harmed by crime.

Local charities and community groups working in the community to reduce crime, the fear of crime and/or antisocial behaviour will be able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support their work.

“This money was seized from criminals and criminal businesses during 2012-13 and we want to ensure it goes back into helping support people making a positive difference in our communities,” says Detective Chief Inspector Ali Eaton.

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During 2012/13 the force secured 137 court confiscation orders following convictions, valued at £1.653, 721.

The force also obtained 51 civil forfeiture orders valued at £753,945, following cash seizures from suspected offenders.

Any money confiscated and put into the national exchequer is ploughed back to support further financial investigations and also into the wider community through worthwhile local projects.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) money forfeited goes first to the central Government exchequer, but 50% of it then comes back to law enforcement.

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Part of the forfeited amount returned to Sussex Police is being used to help support the work of the force’s financial investigators, and as donations to local Sussex-based crime reduction and diversion projects. Some of the money has already been donated to local causes through local police.

Sussex Community Foundation will administer the scheme on behalf of the Police & Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable and all grant applications must be made through them.

“There are Community Cashback grant schemes already operating successfully in Surrey and Hampshire, managed by the local police force in partnership with the community foundations in those counties. It’s a model that has been shown to work and so we are very excited to be working with Sussex Police on this,” said Mary Carruthers, Grants Manager at Sussex Community Foundation.

The deadline for applications to the Sussex Police Community Cashback Fund is Friday 12 July 2013. For more information or to download an application form, visit www.sussexgiving.org.uk/apply-for-funding/or call Mary Carruthers on 01273 409440.