MORE than £400,000 seized from criminals is being used to fund six youth projects across Scotland.

The money has been collected through the Proceeds of Crime Act and reinvested as part of the CashBack for Communities programme, a unique Scottish Government initiative which reclaims ill-gotten cash to fund activities and opportunities in local communities.

Set to receive a share of the £412,000 funding are The Boys’ Brigade, The Girls’ Brigade, Clubs for Young People Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland, Scouts Scotland and Youth Scotland.

Justice secretary Michael Matheson visited the Boys’ Brigade Scottish headquarters in Larbert, where young people from each of the groups were in attendance.

He said: “I am extremely pleased to be able to announce this additional funding for these very deserving youth organisations, run primarily by volunteers.

“The CashBack programme is all about seizing money from criminals and re-investing it back into the community to fund facilities and activities for young people to stop them getting involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.

“As a government we are committed to tackling inequality and CashBack offers every young person, regardless of their background, the opportunity to get involved in positive activities in their communities.”

Since 2008/09 CashBack has committed over £75 million to projects and organisations who work with young people.

This has delivered more than 1.8 million activities and opportunities throughout the country.