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£389k seized from criminals reinvested into safer communities

  • Writer: Love Ballymena
    Love Ballymena
  • 4 minutes ago
  • 4 min read

Money taken from criminals is being channelled back into communities across Northern Ireland, with a fresh £389,000 funding boost set to support dozens of crime prevention projects.


Justice Minister Naomi Long has confirmed the additional investment through the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS), bringing renewed momentum to efforts aimed at tackling crime and reducing the fear of crime at a local level.



Turning criminal profits into community protection


The funding—made possible by an increase in confiscation receipts—will support 42 projects during the 2025/26 financial year. These initiatives focus on preventing crime, supporting victims, and strengthening safer communities.


The ARCS programme is funded directly from assets seized through criminal convictions, ensuring that money gained through illegal activity is redirected for public good.



Announcing the funding, Naomi Long said:


“I am delighted to announce additional Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding of £389k in 2025/26. This funding means further investment to benefit victims and the wider community. The money will be spent on a range of initiatives helping to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime.


“Criminals are motivated by personal gain, and this funding represents more money taken out of their hands and returned to communities. Asset recovery is a vital tool in tackling organised crime and enables communities to see the direct benefits of enforcement action.”



Wider effort to tackle organised crime


The funding forms part of a wider three-year programme running from 2024 to 2027, delivered in partnership with the Organised Crime Task Force.


Half of all recovered criminal assets are reinvested into community projects through ARCS, while the remaining 50% is distributed to agencies involved in asset recovery operations.


The Minister also praised those working behind the scenes to strip criminals of their profits:


“I would also like to thank the members of the Organised Crime Task Force for their continued work in asset recovery, highlighting the importance of confiscation in depriving criminals of their profits.”



Funding breakdown across three years


The latest announcement adds to significant investment already committed under the current funding round:


  • 2024/25: 43 projects received £443,000

  • 2025/26: 36 projects initially received £422,000, with an additional £389,000 now allocated to 42 projects

  • 2026/27: 32 projects will receive £385,000


Applications for the latest funding were drawn from organisations already on a reserve list, alongside operational partners delivering initiatives focused on reducing crime and its impact.



Call to the public


Naomi Long also urged the public to play their part in tackling crime:


“We all have an important role in making Northern Ireland a safer place. I would encourage anyone with any concerns to call the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”


Building safer communities


The ARCS scheme continues to underline a clear message: crime does not pay. Instead, the proceeds of illegal activity are being redirected to protect communities, support victims, and fund initiatives that aim to prevent crime before it happens.


With additional funding now secured, dozens more projects will be able to expand their reach—helping to make neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland safer and more resilient.



Funded projects across Northern Ireland


A wide range of initiatives have secured funding under the 2025/26 Assets Recovery Community Scheme, reflecting a strong focus on community safety, crime prevention, and support for vulnerable groups.


Community safety and prevention initiatives:


Several projects centre on making communities safer and reducing anti-social behaviour:


  • Fight2Thrive (Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP) – £8,000

  • New Paths (Friends of Partytime Garden) – £7,095

  • Scam/Drug Awareness Videos (Newry, Mourne and Down PCSP) – £10,000

  • Safer Streets (PSNI) – £9,336

  • Rural Crime Prevention (PSNI) – £6,697.50

  • Strengthening Neighbourhood Policing (PSNI) – £6,916.80

  • Cocooning Project (PSNI) – £12,000

  • Community Safety Walk & Talk Events (PSNI) – £4,930

  • Policing the Future (PSNI) – £11,987.50

  • Digital Crime Prevention (PSNI) – £4,767.17

  • Safe, Secure and Healthy Streets (SOS Bus NI) – £11,516.46



Tackling violence and protecting vulnerable people:


A significant portion of funding targets domestic abuse and violence against women and girls:


  • Home Safety (Derry and Strabane PCSP) – £5,000

  • Avoiding Becoming A Victim (Lisburn YMCA) – £4,137

  • Causeway Safe at Home Project (PSNI) – £10,000

  • Hollie Guard App (PSNI) – £7,999

  • Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Measures (PSNI) – £9,496.75

  • Crime Prevention (PSNI) – £25,000

  • Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls & Hate Crime Reduction (PSNI) – £8,197.80


Tackling organised crime, exploitation and fraud:


Projects also focus on modern threats including human trafficking and online crime:


  • Brave Junior Education Programme (Invisible Traffic NI) – £4,625

  • Combating Online Fraud (NI Fraud Forum Limited) – £2,376

  • Language Translator Earbuds (PSNI) – £1,529

  • Cyber Protect Escape Rooms (PSNI) – £4,070



Rehabilitation and reducing reoffending:


Several initiatives aim to support rehabilitation and prevent reoffending:


  • Supporting Visitors with Neurodiverse Needs (NIPS) – £3,000

  • Hydebank Wood College Book Club (NIPS) – £8,280

  • Safe & Secure Visiting Environment for Mothers in Custody (Hydebank Wood) – £25,000

  • Runny Honey Project (Spanner in the Works Theatre Company in partnership with Northern Ireland Prison Service) – £13,300

  • Storyteller Recovery – Supporting Transitions to Community Life (The Verbal Arts Centre NI Ltd) – £9,384


Education, awareness and early intervention:


Funding has also been directed towards education and preventative programmes:


  • VR Road Safety (Ards & North Down PCSP) – £9,496

  • Get Home Safe Bus – Portadown (Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon PCSP) – £4,750

  • From Harm to Help to Hope (DoJ Enabling Access to Justice) – £15,000

  • Public Health Approach to Sexual Offender Management (DoJ) – £3,000

  • Software to Aid Monitoring of Sexual Offenders (DoJ) – £24,960

  • Balmoral Show Project (DoJ Protection & Organised Crime Division) – £6,000

  • Design Out Crime Unit Equipment (PSNI) – £3,431

  • Drugs and Substance Misuse Training Course (PSNI) – £1,380

  • Drug Expert Witness Development Course (PSNI) – £10,000

  • Preventing Anti-Social Behaviour Through Diversionary Activities & Education (PSNI) – £4,559.88

  • Portrush Youth Group (PSNI) – £250

  • Local Environmental Improvement Programme for Young People (The Conservation Volunteers) – £18,403



These additional projects further underline the breadth of initiatives being supported—from grassroots youth engagement and environmental programmes to specialist training and rehabilitation services—ensuring funding reaches communities in practical and impactful ways across Northern Ireland.



At a glance


  • £389,000 in additional funding announced for 2025/26


  • 42 projects will benefit from the extra investment


  • Funding comes from assets seized from criminals


  • Aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime


  • Part of a wider 2024–2027 funding programme


  • Total funding already allocated across three years exceeds £1.6 million


  • Delivered in partnership with the Organised Crime Task Force


  • 50% of confiscated assets go to community projects


  • Public urged to report concerns to police or Crimestoppers



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