Community projects that aim to bring people together and help prevent crime are set to receive a major boost after £105,000 seized from criminals was reinvested back into neighbourhoods through the Community Cashback Fund.

A total of 21 grassroots organisations across Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral have each been awarded up to £5,000, with funded projects expected to reach more than 4,800 people.

The money, recovered by Merseyside Police under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), will be used by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and the police to support projects that strengthen community cohesion, prevent crime and tackle hate crime.

The Community Cashback Fund is one of several initiatives that take place throughout the year which enables the PCC and Merseyside Police to reinvest the money seized from criminals back into positive, preventative work which benefits communities across the region.

The fund specifically focused on projects promoting community integration, equality, diversity and inclusion, with priority given to initiatives working in areas experiencing the greatest levels of harm.

The latest Community Cashback Fund launched in January 2026 and received more than 210 applications from voluntary, community and faith organisations across the region.

Applications were assessed by the Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, with over 50 shortlisted bids reviewed by an evaluation panel including representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Merseyside Police and the Community Foundation.

Community Cashback graphic

The successful projects are:

Knowsley

  • Spectrum Connect CIO – Supporting people with multiple disabilities through life‑skills sessions for autistic people across Knowsley (supporting approx. 50 people).
  • Vibe Charitable Incorporated Organisation – Delivering two 12‑week, gender‑specific early intervention programmes for young people at increased risk of crime or anti‑social behaviour (approx. 30 beneficiaries).
  • Karma in the Community – Running a 12‑week Cross‑Generational Summer Darts Club to provide diversionary activity, a sense of belonging and positive identity during the school holidays (approx. 400 participants).

Liverpool

  • Bridge2 (Liverpool) CIC – Delivering a community cohesion project bringing together asylum seekers, refugees and local residents to reduce hate crime and promote inclusion (approx. 1,200 participants).
  • Daisy Inclusive UK – Providing a 12‑week programme to prevent disability hate crime and mate crime, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion while strengthening understanding between disabled and non‑disabled people (approx. 50 beneficiaries).
  • Garston Adventure Playground – Offering regular cultural activities to break down barriers and build understanding within the local community (approx. 300 participants).
  • Joseph Lappin Centre – Delivering a football tournament alongside a SEND‑inclusive youth safety and exploitation awareness programme (approx. 1,090 young people).
  • Your EDGE North West – Educating young people about hate crime, its causes and its consequences (approx. 120 participants).
  • Young Person Advisory Service (YPAS) – Raising awareness and providing support for the LGBTQ+ community through multiple targeted projects (approx. 120 beneficiaries).
  • Netherley Youth and Community Initiative – Supporting local residents by working with hard‑to‑reach students, addressing anti‑social behaviour and piloting a dedicated LGBTQ+ support group (approx. 100 participants).
  • Merseyside Society for Deaf People – Delivering accessible awareness workshops, BSL‑led safeguarding materials, direct outreach and improved support pathways for Deaf victims of crime (approx. 240 beneficiaries).
  • Syrian British Cultural Centre CIC - This funding will support a 12-month project with a focus on young people aged 14 to 21 and their families to raise awareness of hate crime, centred on the Liverpool 8 area of Liverpool (80 beneficiaries).

Sefton

  • Parenting 2000 – Delivering a comprehensive youth programme for 11–18‑year‑olds to prevent child criminal exploitation by increasing awareness of mate crime (approx. 50 participants).
  • Afghanistan and Central Asian Association – Providing a 24‑week targeted youth programme to improve community safety, reduce youth crime and strengthen social cohesion among disadvantaged young people in Sefton and Liverpool (approx. 40 beneficiaries).
  • Elevate EBP (Education Business Partnership) – Delivering a six‑session early intervention programme for 13–14‑year‑old boys aimed at reducing future gender‑based violence, harassment and harmful behaviours (approx. 18 pupils).

Wirral

  • Show Racism the Red Card – Delivering a year‑long anti‑racism and community cohesion programme for young people across Wirral (approx. 500 participants).
  • Wirral Youth Zone – Continuing work with LGBTQ+ young people aged 13–19, supporting them as they explore their gender identity and sexuality (approx. 20 beneficiaries).
  • Crea8ing Community – Running a weekly youth club drop‑in in Noctorum, providing a safe, supervised and trauma‑informed space for young people aged 10–14 (approx. 40 participants).

St Helens

  • Digital Art Box CIC – Delivering bi‑monthly creative and digital arts sessions for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants to build shared experiences, relationships and a sense of belonging (approx. 120 participants).
  • YMCA St Helens – Delivering a year‑long primary prevention programme of weekly community cooking and shared meal sessions for residents living in a hostel (approx. 150 beneficiaries).
  • Maximum Edge CIC - To provide education to individuals vulnerable to misinformation about refugees/asylum seekers. A 6-month collaborative project to strengthen understanding, inclusion, and shared humanity across diverse groups within the St Helens community, challenging mis/disinformation which can lead to misunderstandings, anti-social behaviour and hate crimes (110 beneficiaries).