A £350,000 pot of money recovered from criminals in the North East is going back where it belongs – into the grassroots of local communities.
The new funding scheme – called Operation Payback – launched by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness is appealing to local projects and community groups to apply to receive a cash boost to help make a difference to local lives.
Funding is available for groups that support vulnerable people or projects that provide diversionary activities to help tackle anti-social behaviour.
The initiative plans to play a valuable role in helping the commissioner repair the harm caused to communities by crime.
The funding, which includes money from items seized from criminals, will be used to bring to life new ideas, initiatives and encourage collaboration with others.
Ms McGuinness said the scheme will have a positive impact locally in areas affected by high crime rates.
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