West Midlands Police have announced how money confiscated from criminals will be sent.

WMP HQ Lloyd House

Community projects across east Birmingham are to benefit from thousands of pounds seized from criminals following an online public vote. In a first for the region, residents in east Birmingham were able to have their say on how money recovered from the Proceeds of Crime Act, whereby officers can recover criminal’s assets after they have been sentenced at court, would be spent.

A total of 12 community projects across the east of the city were shortlisted – three in each constituency and three which covered the whole Birmingham East local policing unit area and went head to head in the polls.

Superintendent Alex Murray from Birmingham East LPU, said: “We are extremely happy with the response that we received to our public vote. Thousands of people took advantage of this unique opportunity to have their say in how POCA money is spent and voted online for their favourite projects.

“Projects providing services for young people have proved to be very popular with voters. We’re very pleased to be able to support these invaluable projects and have been so impressed by their passion and dedication.

Winners included the Pod youth project, which is renovating a derelict site in Bordesley Green, the Safe Haven project in Sparkbrook, Sparkhill & Balsall Heath and Fox Hollies Community Association in Acocks Green.

The winners were presented with their cheques at a special presentation evening held at the Midlands Art Centre on Monday 6th February.