Children to decide which projects get criminal cash

Community groups, charities and organisations have been invited to apply for a slice of the £25,000 fund

School children are being put in charge of deciding which youth groups are given money from a £25,000 fund made up of cash seized from criminals.

Youth projects in Garston, Liverpool, are being asked by Merseyside Police to start applying for the community funding grants.

They will then have to go back to the classroom and pitch ideas to the children who will have the final say.

A head teacher said he was delighted his students were being given the opportunity to get involved and to “exercise their democratic vote”.

The Giving Back to Garston event will be held in February 2024 at The Academy of St Nicholas.

Students from there and five local primary schools will take part in the voting.

Head teacher at the academy, Gary Lloyd, described it as an “exciting initiative” which would give young people "a voice in shaping community projects”.

“We are looking forward to hearing the proposals and providing students with an opportunity to exercise their democratic vote in deciding the winners," he added.

Merseyside Police said the focus would be on projects which aim to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

There will be £25,000 in the funding pot, with grants of up to £5,000 available for each project, made available under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“The money we seize from those who seek to harm our communities, will instead now be used for good,” Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said.

She added that she hoped the funding would “increase opportunities for our young people and create safer, stronger places to live”.

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