Money from the pockets of criminals has been reinvested to help Bolton's youngsters.

The Bolton Scout Trust is one of the organisations to benefit from money seized from criminals as a result of policing activity through the Through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS).

The donation will go towards replacing an activity barn at a campsite.

The Bolton Scout Trust, which was awarded £250,000 towards its activity barn project at the end of 2023 welcomed the substantial donation from the police force.

The rebuilt activity barn will be part of the Trust’s Bibbys Farm Scout Camp and Activity Centre, which opened in 2005 and welcomes over 30,000 young people as visitors each year.

Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins, is the chair of the Bolton Scout Trust.

She said:“We are delighted by the ARIS funding.

"It means that we are able to replace the no longer fit for purpose Activity Barn at Bibbys Farm Camp site and Activity Centre.

“GMP recognise how important it is that we offer such facilities for so many young people and provide them with valuable life skills. Their support is invaluable and we welcome support from any local philanthropist who is able to help us complete our project.”

The Greater Manchester Police’s asset recovery incentivisation scheme forms part of the operation to crackdown on criminal money-laundering.

The force’s economic crime unit identify and seize criminal money by executing warrants, and tracing criminal bank accounts. Cases are then passed onto the force’s asset detention and recovery unit, who take these cases to court. Once a court case brought against criminal money launderers is successfully proven, the force is able to recover the finances.

Greater Manchester Police sends 50 per cent of the money recovered in this way back to the Home Office, but the other 50 per cent is spent directly on community initiatives.

Detective Inspector Sarah Langley of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “It's right that the money we recover from criminal’s is used to benefit those that need it the most from the communities we serve.

“It’s an important part of the justice system that those who benefit from the profits of crime get their finances stripped from them and aren't allowed to enjoy this money at the detriment of everyone else, and it’s even more satisfying to know that it is now being used for a good purpose.

“We have spoken to a few organisations who have received funding within the last year to find out how the funding has been used to help them extend their reach to benefit even more people across Greater Manchester.”