Community groups to benefit in £24,000 crime assets handout

North Yorkshire Police and the Local Criminal Justice Board launched the Why Should They? campaign in May this year, offering the cash seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), to local groups and charities.

Police revealed yesterday that in the end more than 200 groups applied. Their ideas were judged by a panel, which included police, North Yorkshire's Local Criminal Justice Board, and local newspaper editors.

The money – up to 2,000 per grant – was available to any community groups, projects or initiatives that could be delivered by the end of the year and have a lasting impact for the community.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, who runs the Financial Investigation Unit which seizes criminal cash in the county, said: "The response to the campaign has been tremendous with more than 200 bids for cash, well in excess of our expectations.

"The fact that this money has been taken from criminals and is now going back to our local communities gives us great satisfaction. Our only disappointment is that we could not give money to everyone.

"The recipients of the awards give their time freely, from helping and improving the lives of people in the community, to risking their own lives to save others. It has been a very humbling experience to see the extent of voluntary and community work being carried out across North Yorkshire."

The chairman of North Yorkshire's Local Criminal Justice Board, Dyfed Foulkes, added: "We have been bowled over by the scope and extent of the work being undertaken by local groups and charities across North Yorkshire as evidenced by the fantastic response to our campaign.

"The judging panel certainly had their work cut out. On behalf of the board, I congratulate the successful bidders, and wish them well as they put the ill-gotten gains of criminal activity to much better use than was ever intended."

The 5th Skipton Scout Group will receive 2,000 for new tents and a camp fridge. Pioneer Project's Creative Kitchen Garden, at Bentham, will receive 1,912 for a market stall and marquee.

The project offers disadvantaged and unemployed working age adults in North Craven the opportunity to make, display and sell craft and produce at local events and markets.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library gets 1,650 to purchase pastimes in dual languages for minority groups. Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre, Knaresborough, receives 2,000 for a stage and curtains at Knaresborough arts and crafts centre for blind and visually impaired people.

Herriot Hospice Homecare will receive 1,604 to help provide specialist palliative care to the terminally ill in their homes. Each year they assist approximately 360 families.

Cleveland Search and Rescue Team (Great Ayton) will receive 1,936 for equipment. Youngsters in Richmond will get 1,997 for the local golf club develop a junior section.Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team get 1,800 for new radios.

A grant of 1,949 to Ryedale School Sport Coordinator Programme will benefit 1,000 children in seven Ryedale schools through the purchase of two rowing machines for the Indoor Rowing Schools League.

In addition, Scarborough Blind and Partially Sighted Society Resource Centre gets 800, Barwick Parade Community Primary School, Selby, 2,000, Kelfield Village Institute 750, York Boxing Club/Off the Hook, which teaches disadvantaged youngsters, 1,846, and the Priory Street Centre, York, 1,749.