THE unique initiative established to give confiscated criminal cash to projects that benefit the community in Essex has celebrated its tenth anniversary.
The Essex Police Proceeds of Crime Scheme was set up by the force with the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) in 2014 and is the only scheme of its kind in the UK.
Since then, the force has donated £750,000 to the project from cash and the sale of assets confiscated from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
ECF has used the monies to match eligible donations on a two to one basis and establish charitable funds that currently have a combined value of £1.5 million.
These invested funds enable grants to be given away year on year, and to date, £360,000 has been given to local charities and voluntary groups involved in creating safer communities.
Organisations that have benefitted from the scheme include:
Inclusion Ventures, a charity working at the heart of Jaywick and west Clacton is helping to improve the lives of vulnerable young people by providing a range of support and offering them positive activities to divert them away from a potential life of anti-social behaviour and crime and inspire them to have a brighter future.
Changing Lives, a charity with bases in Colchester and Harlow that uses physical activity to improve the lives of young people, particularly migrants and refugees, and prevent them becoming involved in crime.
Safe Steps, based in Southend, supports women and families who have experienced domestic abuse, providing a safe place and the services needed to begin their recovery journey. As well as one to one sessions, they organise a wide range of activities for women and children including play groups, craft sessions, self-esteem groups, days out, recovery programmes and counselling.
Lads Need Dads CIC aims to prevent and address the challenges faced by boys aged 10-18 growing up without a father figure. Recognised as one of the leading projects in the UK, Lads Need Dads provides vital early intervention and long-term support, directly addressing the often-overlooked impact of absent fathers on young men. Sgt Jamie Edwards’ mentoring of boys with the organisation won him the Millard Trophy for outstanding community work at the Essex Police Awards.
Market Field Farm operates across Colchester and Tendring delivering skills training in a working environment, with the aim of improving the employment skills, opportunities and broader safety of young people with additional needs. They may have learning disabilities, autism or other mental health issues and may struggle to find similar chances elsewhere while also being vulnerable to being victims of crime, bullied or targeted by gangs.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “It is amazing to see the difference that the scheme has made and because the funds set up with ECF are invested, they will grow and continue to give money away in the future.
“By confiscating the proceeds of criminal activity, we are making it harder than ever to profit from crime.
“Overall, crime is falling in Essex, but we can’t work alone, and we rely on the support of all our communities to keep that trend going.
“Whether it’s supporting victims, getting children and young people into sport, or giving families a safe place to stay, I’ve seen the extraordinary work of local charities. Together, we are making our county an even safer place to live and work.”
Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF, added: “We are extremely grateful to Essex Police for establishing the Proceeds of Crime Scheme and to those who have set up community safety focused funds with us.
Keeping people of all ages safe in their homes and their communities is an important aspect of many charities work, and the Proceeds of Crime Scheme has further inspired local giving and significantly increased the amount of money that we have been able to give away.”
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