Selly Oak childrens playground project gets cash boost from criminals assets
Dec 9 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail
FOOTBALL-mad children in Birmingham have somewhere safe for a kickabout – thanks to assets stripped from crooks living in the lap of luxury on the back of other people’s misery.
The Selly Oak-based Coronation Road Adventure Playground was set up by parents to give youngsters in the area somewhere to play.
Now the charity centre has a new five-a-side football court that organisers hope will unite children from across the suburb and help keep them out of trouble.
The project was one of seven publicly-nominated schemes in the West Midlands to receive a hand-out under a Government plan to plough cash and property seized from convicted criminals back into the community.
Mike Maiden, Chairman of the West Midlands Criminal Justice Board, said: “The public response has been huge and we thank everyone who took the time to nominate projects or have their say on which project they feel would benefit from the funding in our area.
“It’s fantastic we have been able to respond to the communities’ needs and the ill-gotten gains of criminals will now be channelled into projects that will make a real positive difference to the local community and the lives of individuals.
“We hope this scheme has given people the opportunity to have a stronger voice in the criminal justice System in the West Midlands.”
The Bartley Green Amateur Boxing Club, set up by Darren Meddings, has also been handed cash to buy new equipment for the 50 youngsters, aged ten to 16, who turn up to training sessions.
The Harrison Motor Cross group, based in Bloxwich, Walsall, has been awarded funding to open during the evenings to help tackle the problem of illegal off-road scrambling.
And fitness equipment will be provided for Youth Fit, a Coseley-based project which provides the community with a gym facility. Other successful projects include Washwood Heath and Ward End Youth Outreach Project, the Lozells Community Bus and Safer, More Informed Communities through Youth Engagement in Bilston.
In the last year criminals lost more than £9 million as West Midlands Police stepped up efforts to seize their ill-gotten gains.
A total of £2,014,272 in cash was taken by detectives, along with goods worth £7,154,516, including cars, homes and jewellery.
The total haul was the best yet for the region’s police force – and more than double the previous year.
Council investigators have also take millions of pounds more from loan sharks.
