News

Communities set to benefit from cashback from criminals

22nd Jul, 2009

Communities in Staffordshire could benefit from 'cashback' from criminals as up to £95,000 in seized assets are to be spent on worthwhile projects nominated by members of the public.

The Community Cashback fund has been made available for local schemes nominated through a dedicated website, at neighbourhood policing meetings or through Citizens' Panels.

Successful bids will have to show how the local community is involved in suggesting the project, demonstrate good value for money and be related in some way to tackling antisocial or criminal behaviour locally.

Peter Hammersley, Chair of Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board said, "It will give the Board great pleasure to hand over the ill gotten gains of criminals to pay for community projects that matter most in people's neighbourhoods.  The views of the local community are vital in helping us deliver a fair and effective Criminal Justice System in Staffordshire.  Community Cashback offers an excellent opportunity for us to respond directly to the communities' needs, so we really encourage people to have their say on the local projects they believe would benefit from this fund."

How you can be involved :

1.  You can suggest a project you would like to see happening in your area.

2.  If you don't have a project to suggest, you can have your say on a project suggested by someone else in your community.

Please visit the Cashback Website at http://cashback.cjsonline.gov.uk then select 'Staffordshire' from the area map to nominate to vote on a project before the closing date of 24 July 2009.

The scheme complements the recently launched Community Payback Scheme which lets the public vote on what community punishments local criminals are sent to work on.

The Government's Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey said, "It is only right that the public should have a say on how cash from criminals is spent in their community.  This sends a strong message to the public that the criminal justice system cares about what they think and is on their side.  This in turn might enourage more members of the public to help in the fight against crime - to pick up the phone to report a crime, stand up in court to give evidence and support others to do the same.  This announcement follows the successul results of a vote on Community Payback schemes where a total of 18,000 people across the country nominated what work offenders should do to make amends for their crimes.  The message behind Community Cashback and Community Payback is simple - the public must have a stronger voice in the criminal justice system - after all, it operates on their behalf and must have their backing."

Press Release