The SIA's grant for good causes is funded from ill-gotten cash (proceeds of crime) confiscated from individuals convicted of criminal offences within the private security industry.
The beneficiaries for the grants are Young Enterprise and 1000 Black Boys. The two enterprises have different roles but are designed to improve the lives of children and young people.
The SIA's grant for good causes' panel granted:
-
Young Enterprise a total of £7,599.16 for its Learn to Earn programme being rolled out in Manchester, Greater Manchester and West Midlands. It's the second consecutive year that the SIA has supported this charity.
-
1000 Black Boys CIC a total of £10,000 to fully fund the enterprise as the fund will positively impact the lives and provide opportunities and role models to teenagers who are most likely to be victims of knife crime or youth violence in London.
Pete Easterbrook, Head of Criminal Enforcement and Chair of the SIA grants panel said:
Put simply if people commit an offence(s) in the private security industry; the SIA will find them, prosecute them and where significant financial benefit has been reached by the offender, will use its financial investigation powers to pursue them for reparations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).
In the 2022 to 2023 financial year we were awarded £17,599.16 confiscated from people who committed crimes in the private security industry. The grant for good causes demonstrates that crime really doesn't pay. We are investing the money into two worthy causes who are committed to supporting young people.
Organisations are eligible to apply if they are a registered charity or not for profit organisations and are able to clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the grant to public protection.
You can read the guidance about the SIA grant for good causes here.
Notes:
- The SIA has held powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) since 2015. This allows the SIA to undertake financial investigations and seek confiscation orders against companies and individuals who make a profit from criminal activity. POCA is a law that ensures any money made from criminal activity can be recovered.
- Since 2017 the SIA has been pursuing financial recovery from convicted criminals following successful SIA prosecutions. Since that time the SIA has been in receipt of monies recovered from proceeds of crime confiscation orders. If successful, the SIA receives a percentage of the confiscated money, and it is required to use it by either funding good causes or further SIA financial investigations within a time scale.
- Previous beneficiaries of the SIA's grant for good causes include:
- The Prince's Trust Northern Ireland - Get into Security initiative
- EY Foundation's Secure Futures initiative
- The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals Charitable Trust COVID-19 crisis fund
- ProtectED
- PTSD Resolution
- Argus Community Interest Company
- Global Vision Initiative
- Samson Academy for its SIA Training and Certificate Courses
- Banana Enterprise Network
- COVID Grant
