Assets Recovery Community Scheme Funding

August 24, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) in partnership with local police is pleased to announce the launch of Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding which is managed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ is inviting public sector bodies, voluntary and community sector organisations to bid for a share of a £700,000 fund made available from recovered criminal assets to help in crime prevention or help reduce the fear of crime in the community. The 2018/2019 ARCS which is currently open will result in the total amount of criminal assets distributed to the community reaching a total of £5 million since the scheme began in 2012.

Announcing the ARCS funding opportunity, Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP Chairman, Councillor Aaron McIntyre said: “Law enforcement agencies are continually improving their efforts to identify and confiscate profits and assets gained through illegal activity such as drug dealing, benefit and tax fraud and money laundering which are criminal profits that might contribute to further harm in communities if no action was taken. I would encourage all voluntary and community sector organisations to consider submitting an application for funding which allows monies received from confiscation orders to be invested into projects tackling crime in communities across Northern Ireland. Applicants applying for funding must clearly demonstrate how they will directly benefit victims, communities or the environment.”

Commenting on the funding opportunity, Chief Inspector Jonathan Wilson said, “The Assets Recovery Community Scheme provides an opportunity for good causes to benefit from money taken from the hands of criminals. The funding can be used for a range of initiatives that will benefit local people and build confidence and pride in communities.  I would encourage community groups, charity organisations and community-spirited individuals to apply and use these ill-gotten gains for good.”

Applications are invited from innovative and transformational justice initiatives. Funding will be available for short-term projects and also longer, strategic interventions up to a maximum of three years. Further information on the scheme is available at www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/assets-recovery-community-scheme

These applications must be supported by a project supervisor such as DOJ Directorates, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Prison Service, Probation Board of Northern Ireland, PCSPs, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Education Authority.

Applications for the 2018/19 scheme close on Monday 3 September 2018