Thousands of pounds of criminals' ill-gotten gains seized and handed to youth centre

Thousands of pounds have been seized from criminals and given to a youth centre. Ill-gotten cash taken from the pockets of drug dealers and other defendants appearing before Liverpool Crown Court is handed over to a designated charity of the month, with the scheme having raised more than £200,000 for good causes over the past two years.

The latest beneficiary is the Hive Youth Zone, which received nearly £9,000 which was forfeited to the court during October. Based on Bright Street in Birkenhead, the charity was set up during 2017 and provides activities for young people aged eight to 25 within state-of-the-art facilities and £1 hot meals for its 3,000 members.

Chief executive Jayne Wilson told the ECHO: "We cannot express how grateful we are for this generous donation from Liverpool Crown Court. It plays a vital role in ensuring that The Hive remains a safe and exciting sanctuary, where young people can come together, have fun, and grow.

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"Unfortunately, far too many young individuals feel they lack a place to go or engage in meaningful activities outside of school. The pressures of daily life only make this more difficult.

"Recent findings from our OnSide Generation isolation report show that 35% of young people in the north west are dealing with feelings of loneliness, a stark reminder of why our work is so essential. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these young people - providing them with the support, community and joy they so desperately need."