People in Essex are to benefit from the proceeds of crime, without having a brush with the law, in a pioneering match funding scheme being introduced for the first time in the UK.

The scheme is being run by Essex Police in conjunction with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

The new initiative means that each year, money from the sale of property and items seized by Essex Police from criminals will be recycled to encourage local giving and provide grants to voluntary and community organisations for community safety projects in the county.

The motivating incentive at the heart of the scheme offers individuals and companies the chance to have their donations match funded by 50 per cent by the money channelled through ECF by Essex Police.

ECF will manage the match funding scheme, which is being launched with £75,000.

Further match funding will be made available annually by Essex Police and will depend on the monies which are raised from the sale of criminal assets seized by Essex Police.

Individuals and companies who donate £25,000 or more can have the opportunity to establish their own endowed fund with ECF. All other donations will be pooled in a general Essex Community Safety Fund managed by the Foundation.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Constable of Essex said: "The launch of the Essex Police Proceeds of Crime Match Funding Scheme is a highly innovative, if not unique approach which will result in money collected from criminals being used to help increase charitable giving across the county.

"It is something I have wanted to see for a long time and it demonstrates the commitment of Essex Police to giving support to people and local charities in Essex working and making the county a better and safer place to live. We are a bit like Robin Hood – taking from the greedy and giving to the needy.

"We are delighted to be working closely with such a highly respected organisation as ECF to make the scheme work and to ensure it has a lasting impact. It will be extremely satisfying to see that it is payback time for criminals and the money will be used to make our communities safer. The scheme is not going be short-term, it will be ongoing and we are planning to make funding available every year.”

Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive of ECF said: "We are pleased to be working with Essex Police, who are to be congratulated for coming up with a completely fresh way of converting the proceeds of crime into something positive for the benefit of the community. We believe this scheme deserves a widespread welcome and that it will inspire and increase charitable giving across the county.

"It is very fitting that all grants will go towards activities promoting community safety and we know that even modest grants will make a big difference to people’s lives.”

For more details about the scheme contact ECF by calling 01245 355947