 The minister said she wants to put the money to work |
More than �1m seized from criminals is to be shared by the six Scottish councils deemed to have been hardest hit by violent crime. The Scottish Executive said Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire could share at least �250,000 each.
Two wards in each of the council areas will receive money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson announced the proposal.
Cash could be used for a range initiatives including anti-graffiti drives, community sports, after-hours clubs and anti-drugs campaigns.
'Visible projects'
Ms Jamieson said: "Criminals who think they can continue to prey on our most vulnerable communities and get away it, should think again.
"Our plans are for clear, visible projects that will let local people see that the criminals are being stripped of the proceeds of their despicable crimes.
"It will also demonstrate to impressionable youngsters who may look up to these so-called Mr Bigs, driving around in their flash cars and lording it up in their fancy homes, that a life of crime does not pay."
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