Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has revealed it’s invested millions of pounds seized from criminals back into communities across the region.
Over the past year, specialist investigators from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit have been recovering, confiscating, and forfeiting money from criminal operations to the nationwide Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).
And it’s now been revealed that a total of £15,751,210 in criminal finances has been invested back into communities across Greater Manchester through the scheme.
Non-profit organisations have been the biggest beneficiaries.
These local organisations – which are known to benefit a large number of people across the region – have been able to apply for a maximum of £20,000 to fund 12 months’ worth of activities that GMP says “pledges to support our objectives to fight, prevent, and reduce crime”, as well as keep people in the community safe and care for victims.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just some examples of where the ARIS funding has gone over the past few years within Greater Manchester include organisations such as WeMove, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, Get Away and Get Safe, and Deaf Ex-Offenders Network.
Breaking Barriers in Bolton, Rochdale-based organisation Tackling Minds, Tameside Arts, and Wigan Youth Zone are just a handful of other benefiting charities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Greater Manchester Police invests £15m seized criminal money ‘back into communities’ / Credit: GMP
“This is an excellent opportunity for the many projects which benefit Greater Manchester’s communities,” explained Detective Superintendent Joseph Harrop from GMP.
“The offenders who commit economic crimes often do so for their own financial gain.
“It is fitting that this money is now put to good use to benefit communities across Greater Manchester, as the money we recover is being used to help fight, prevent and reduce crime, keep people safe, and care for victims – which ultimately makes Greater Manchester a better place to live, work, and visit.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Non-profit organisations have been the biggest beneficiaries / Credit: GMP
Not only that, but also as part of ARIS – which is operated by the Home Office – some of the funds recovered will be returned to GMP to be “utilised in furthering asset recovery work”, as well as funding community initiatives and on policing operations.
It’s expected that before the end of 2023, a total of over £5.1 million will have been returned to GMP under the scheme.
Featured Image – GMP
News
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home
Emily Sergeant
The Council is now offering financial help to support people moving into a smaller and ‘more manageable’ property.
Ever heard of ‘rightsizing? Well, according Manchester City Council it’s a process where a tenant in a larger social rent, Council, or Housing Association property, that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older, can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of this process include cheaper bills, lower rents, and overall, just homes that are easier to clean and manage.
The aim of it is also to free up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register – of which there are said to be around 20,000 of them currently at this time, with larger homes having some of the most significant wait times.
Are you struggling to look after a big Council or housing association home? We can help!
We are offering £2,500 to help people move into a smaller more manageable home, freeing up larger homes for families that need them.
It’s also estimated, according to the Council, that a third of all social rented family homes are thought to ‘underoccupied’.
This is why financial support and grants are now being offered.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to ‘rightsize’ and were supported in the process by a dedicated team of Council officers, as well as benefitting from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme – with a further 432 households having expressed interest doing so in the future.
Residents interested in ‘rightsizing’ could get a cash incentive of £2,500, which can be spent on anything they like, along with moving costs.
The Council is giving Mancs £2,500 to move into a ‘more manageable’ home / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development.
“Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home, which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.”
Does this sound like you? Are you ready to ‘rightsize’? Find out more and begin the process via Manchester City Council’s website here.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th May 2023 
