Local charities have been handed £300,000 over the last three years by Merseyside Police as part of its Operation Payback initiative to turn “ill-gotten gains into positive change”.

Since the initiative’s launch in 2022, money seized from criminals has been handed to a raft of local charities and community groups, according to the Force’s latest evaluation.

This includes Knowsley based First Step, which support domestic abuse survivors. It has been handed £6,000 to expand its services.

“Demand for our services is at an all-time high, and funding to deliver support when survivors need to access support is challenging,” said the charity’s chief executive Caroline Grant.

“As such we’re incredibly grateful to Merseyside Police and Operation Payback for this support. Every penny helps us reach more people, offer more services, and ensure that no one has to face domestic abuse alone.”

Detective Sergeant Paul Doran, who is involved in Operation Payback, added: “The First Step plays a crucial role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“Domestic abuse can have a devastating impact, and we’re proud to help contribute to the life-changing work this charity does every day.”

Another charity to benefit is Toxteth based education charity Ariel Trust, which delivers violence reduction programme. It was handed £5,000 last year to expand its school education ‘Grassing or Grooming’ programme to break the ‘grass culture’ and urge children to speak up. It also aims to prevent people being groomed by gangs.

“Getting the message right requires lots of listening to children, parents and teachers,” said the Trust’s director Paul Ainsworth.

The money from Operation Payback will pay for my team to work in partnership with those important groups of people.”

The money has been recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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