May 12, 2009: Public Input On How Criminal Gains Are Spent

The general public will be able to choose how £4m seized from criminals will be spent in their area. The money will be available for local projects, and how it is spent will be decided by communities via websites, neighbourhood policing meetings or citizens’ panels.

The plans were announced as part of the government’s updated crime strategy – Cutting Crime: Two years on. The strategy gives communities more say in how justice is done in their neighbourhoods. It will also improve the way police, probation and local authorities fight crimes including burglary, robbery and car theft. The strategy will:

• put £3m towards Operation Vigilance - a pilot scheme that targets known offenders and helps police find the best method of catching and prosecuting them
• give police more powers to seize the assets of criminals
• introduce more intensive community payback schemes over the coming year.

The strategy also introduces the first ‘virtual court’ pilot, where cases can be heard in court via a secure video link from the police station within four hours of a defendant being charged. If found guilty, they could be sentenced on the same day. This could save £10m per year by freeing up police and the courts’ time, as well as improving the service for victims and witnesses.

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