Crime cashback for neighbourhood project

Crime has paid off for a Chadderton youth project. Cash seized from crooks has been handed over to Project Good Neighbour, based at South Chadderton Methodist Church, to buy games consoles and play equipment for its youth scheme.

The £400 donation was awarded under the Proceeds of Crime Act, part of a £4,000 cash pot retrieved from criminals and dished out to various community groups by Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham division.

Dawn Fox from Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale — partners in PGN along with South Chadderton Methodist Church, Oldham Play Action Group and volunteers from the community — said: “We work with many young people from the area and a number of them have developed into role models who now volunteer and mentor the younger ones.”

Sgt Gary Wheelhouse, who was instrumental in securing the money, said: “The fact that this money has been seized from criminals makes this even better and is the only occasion where crime is paying back into the community.”

Other local organisations to benefit include Oldham Youth Council, Higginshaw Community Association, Friends of Stoneleigh Park, Holy Trinity Church, Coldhurst Cricket Club and Cycle Club Oldham.