A dozen community projects and charities are the latest good causes to benefit from cash seized from criminals in Manchester.
Around £200,000 is redistributed through our Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
,The latest successful groups are Third Space Bolton,Rochdale Council of Mosques,Ince Rose Bridge Sports & Community Club, Wigan,Elite Community Hub CIC, Bolton
Abraham Moss Warriors, Manchester,Pure Insight, Stockport,Base X, Bolton,Manchester Airport Multi-Faith Chaplaincy,First Kick Foundation, Bury,Mahdlo Youth Zone, Oldham
Highway Hope, Manchester/Stockport andSalford Youth Service
Detective Superintendent Andrew Buckthorpe who leads GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “It’s only right that the money recovered from criminals is reinvested into the communities we serve, supporting those who need it most.
“A key principle of justice is ensuring that individuals who profit from crime are stripped of those gains and prevented from enjoying them at the expense of others.
“That is an ongoing process as well look to strip even more money from criminals and redistribute within our communities.
“It’s even more rewarding to know that these funds are now being used for positive, meaningful purposes within our communities.
“It’s particularly pleasing that the successful groups are based right across the GMP force area and their projects supported by our district policing teams.
“The projects have been chosen as they align with our goals of reducing and preventing crime, especially among young people.”
First Kick in Bury will use its £18,000 of funding to recruit two extra youth workers and put on extra sessions.
Their bid submission detailed their ‘outreach and youth club sessions to reduce anti-social behaviour through mentoring, sports, and personal development activities’.
Tom Hutton, Head of Foundation at the First Kick Foundation, said: “We have worked closely with GMP, identifying how targeted and inclusive youth work may be able to enable and support young people in Bury, to realise and achieve their potential.
“Building on from GMPs positive work in Whitefield, First Kick Foundation has identified a unique opportunity to support vulnerable young people, to develop the confidence and skillset to thrive.
“Funding provided by ARIS will enable First Kick Foundation youth workers to deliver six, free-to-access youth club sessions which will provide young people with a safe space to develop new skills, meet new friends and improve community connectivity.”
First Kick’s bid was supported by Bury Inspector Gareth Edwards, who said: “The bid was supported in connection with our work aimed at diverting young people away from urban street gangs, violence and drug dealing in the area.
“There is little else in the area in terms of social activities for youngsters and so this fitted perfectly.”
The Economic Crime Unit’s work is ongoing as we continue to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten gains – this year convicted drug dealer Lee Whiteley was ordered to pay back more than £200,000 and Umair Zaheer, the ringleader of a nationwide drugs and firearms conspiracy, ordered to pay £350,000.
Non-profits which benefit a large number of people can apply for a maximum of £20,000 through ARIS to fund 12 months’ activities and there will be another application window in early 2026.
