Criminals cash is getting lawn-dered!

For the first time, seized loot is being given to good causes aimed at cutting down anti-social behaviour.

Didcot-based Soha Housing Association is the only body in Oxfordshire to receive any of the first wave of cash. It will spend £15,000 to create new gardens in estates across south Oxfordshire.

The Proceeds Of Crime Act means that wealth earned through crime can now be confiscated.

Last year £148m was seized nationally, £3.85m of it in the Thames Valley region.

In the past, it was shared by police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts.

But now, for the first time, £95,000 has been handed out to each policing area in the country for Local Criminal Justice Boards to spend it on community projects aimed at cutting anti-social behaviour.

The new gardens will be modelled on a community garden in Great Western Drive, Didcot, converted from wasteland last month with the help of local schoolchildren and Orchard Centre owners Hammerson.

The area had suffered years of anti-social behaviour and the project was designed to boost pride in the estate, engage young people and clear away litter including syringes and bottles.

St Birinus pupil Andrew Gale, 15, who helped create the garden, said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea.

“We’ve built a little quiet area on the estate that people can sit in and enjoy if they’ve got troubles or difficulties.”

The young people’s steering group meets to discuss other ways to improve the estate.

Three similar schemes will now be set up in other, as yet unnamed, Soha estates.

Operations director Maureen Adams said: “This funding will make a real difference to our residents who want to have ownership of their own community spaces.

“Our experience is that children and parents enjoy the opportunity to be involved in planting, and looking after the environment, with young people helping to design and develop the project.”

A decision whether to repeat the project will be taken after next year’s General Election.

didcot@oxfordmail.co.uk