Crime cash helping to make future brighter for youngsters
Scheme has invested more than £9k in local projects
NIKI TENNANT
More than £9000 of assets seized from criminals is funding five projects in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area that help divert disadvantaged young people away from crime.
The cash has been reinvested in the local projects through the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme.
The Cashback for Communities scheme, which was established by the Scottish Government, reinvests criminal assets into community projects which support young people into positive destinations, diverting some away from potentially criminal or anti-social behaviour.
The area’s biggest award of £2880 was handed to Cambuslang Universal Superstars Dancers, while Fernhill Hyper Cyber received £1928.
Under the initiative, Burnhill Youth Project received £1634, Flemington Hallside Church got £1633 and £960 went to Cambuslang and Rutherglen Universal Connections.
That is a total of £9035 for projects in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area. The CashBack for Communities programme invested over £215,369 in local projects in South Lanarkshire last year.
The next phase of funding will take total investment in the programme, which is unique to Scotland, to almost £110 million since it began in 2008.
Since the launch of the scheme 11 years ago, projects in South Lanarkshire have received a total of £2,130,000.
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said: “This is a tremendous initiative that ensures criminals do not benefit from the proceeds of their crimes.
“Every young person in this country should have an equal chance to make the most of their lives, regardless of background.
“Promoting projects that will give our young people new skills, while displaying that crime does not pay, allows for positive life choices to be accentuated.
“I’d encourage any local group who thinks they can benefit from Cashback for Communities funding to apply as soon as possible.”
Minister for community safety, Ash Denham, added: “We want every young person growing up in Scotland to have an equal chance of success no matter their circumstances – CashBack has a vital part to play in expanding young people’s horizons and helping them reach their full potential. Since Cashback for Communities began in 2008 we have delivered nearly two and a half million activities and opportunities for young people across all local authorities in Scotland.
“The next stage of CashBack will focus on projects that support young people and communities most affected by crime. I’m pleased to say we have increased funding for this latest phase by £1m – taking the total amount available over three years to £18m.
“The numbers of children referred to the Children’s Reporter on offence grounds or prosecuted in the courts have fallen substantially over the last decade and our Cashback programme supports that progress by giving many of Scotland’s most disadvantaged young people a wide range of positive opportunities to challenge them and inspire those around them.”
Phase five of the CashBack for Communities programme opened for applications on May 15, running until June 28.
Find more details at www. cashbackforcommunities.org