by Nicola Brown

TWO local groups have received funding from the Cashback for Communities scheme which invests money seized from criminals back into the community.

Clydebank Community Sport Hub and Y Sort It received £150,000 and £31,848 respectively, to help them continue offering vital services to local people.

In total, 40 community groups throughout Scotland will benefit from the scheme, which has almost £2 million to distribute.

Projects as diverse as bike parks, 3G pitches and netball clubs will benefit, as well as allowing facilities for activities such as football, netball, dance and kayaking to be improved around the country.

Y Sort It is a youth project supporting people aged between 12 to 25 years within West Dunbartonshire.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said: “Cashback for Communities is a unique programme that seizes money from criminals and reinvests it back into our communities.

“As well as punishing those who break the law and peddle misery on Scottish society, CashbackIt offers activities and opportunities at community level to stop disadvantaged young people heading into crime or anti-social activity themselves.”