An initiative which would see ill-gotten gains seized from criminals and ploughed into Greater Manchester communities is being backed by police chief Tony Lloyd.
More than half the money raised under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) has to be given to central Government.
However new plans suggest that police forces across England and Wales should be allowed to keep all the money and assets confiscated from criminals and use them to fund policing and community safety.
Mr Lloyd said: “The ill-gotten gains of criminals should not belong to the state but to the victims, witnesses and others who have suffered because of their criminality.”
In the last 12 months a total of almost £7million was seized from criminals under the POCA but only £1.2million of this has been reinvested into the police as part of the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
The proceeds would be distributed into various community projects such as the Lionheart Challenge which cost £100,000.
It involved schoolchildren from 30 schools across Greater Manchester working to break down the barriers between children and police.
“This money is already being put to positive use in Greater Manchester, to help tackle crime, support victims and build safer communities,” added Mr Lloyd.
If you support the proposed initiative you can sign the petition here.
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