Criminals’ cash put to good use

Cash seized from criminals by police has been pumped back into the heart of the community.

More than £150,000 has been dished out to community groups and charities from West Yorkshire Police’s Safer Communities Fund.

A total of 35 different organisations have been awarded around £5,000 each in November from the fund, which is financed by cash recovered by police under the Proceeds of Crime Act,

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SET3, a community group based in Dewsbury which runs free projects in sport, education and training for youngsters, were one of the groups to receive a cash award.

Chris Jenkinson, from SET3, said: “The fund is fantastic and allows organisations like ours to create so much well being and so many benefits to the community.

“This money will be put to good use and make so much difference to young peoples lives.

“We are extremely pleased and can’t wait to get to work on a new project in our area.”

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The Safer Communities Fund aims to make a difference in communities by providing grants.

The November cash grants were the sixth round of the funding process and hundreds of application had been submitted to the force.

SET3 was presented with their grant by the West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson and temporary ch con Dee Collins.

Other groups and organisations which were given cash grants last month included British Red Cross Yorkshire, Embrace, Lifeline, Leeds Youth Offending Service and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

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The Together Women’s Project, Leeds University Union, Bangladeshi Youth Organisation and Christians Together were also awarded cash from the fund in November.

Mr Jenkinson said: “Every year 50 per cent of assets seized from criminals goes into this fund but Mark Burns-Williamson said he is trying hard to change that and increase it.

“The conclusion to these actions are, criminals beware, the proceeds of your crimes are going straight back into the community.”

For more information, or to apply for a cash grant from the fund, visit www.westyorkshire-pcc.gov.uk