CRIMINALS’ ill-gotten gains are being seized by police to help boost community and crime prevention projects.

Cash raised goes to pay compensation to victims of crime, while some of the leftover funds are returned to police in Avon and Somerset under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme.

The initiative aims to rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims and communities and to show that crime does not pay.

Dr Kirstie Cogram, manager of the force Financial Investigation Unit, said: “It’s important that criminals operating across our force area aren’t able to enjoy the profits from their criminal activities.

"The team will continue to work with local officers to ensure that these people do not benefit from their crimes and put something back into the community.”

Among local schemes set to benefit this year are football coaching in Taunton and a BMX track in Bishops Lydeard.