Justice Minister has announced further funding
worth £389,000 for projects supported through the Assets
Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS).
This additional funding follows an increase in confiscation
receipts and forms part of the three-year 2024/25 – 2026/27
funding round. It will support 42 projects aimed at making
a positive difference by tackling crime and reducing the fear of
crime.
The ARCS budget is derived from confiscation orders which may be
made following criminal conviction to recover the proceeds of
crime. The Scheme supports the Department's commitment to
work in partnership to help build fairer and safer
communities.
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.
"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.
"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.”
Notes to editors:
1. Further details about the funding allocations is available at
Asset Recovery Community Schemes
| Department of Justice
2. Recovering criminal assets is an important focus for the
partners of the Organised Crime Task Force. 50% of receipts
from paid criminal confiscation orders goes into the ARCS budget,
the other 50% continues to be distributed to agencies responsible
for the recovery of the assets.
3. Applications were invited from organisations on a
reserve list in relation to the existing 2024-2027 ARCS funding
round, and operational partners for initiatives that reduce
crime, or the fear of crime.
4. Funding allocations for the three-year scheme are:
- Year 1(2024/25) - 43 projects were allocated a total of £443k
for services to be delivered in the period up to 31 March 2025.
- Year 2 (2025/26) - 36 projects were allocated a total of
£422k for services to be delivered in the period up to 31 March
2026. An additional £389k has been allocated to 42 projects for
services to be delivered in the period up to 31 March 2026.
- Year 3 (2026/27) - 32 projects have been allocated a total of
£385k for services to be delivered in the period up to March
2027.
