MORE than £2,500 seized from criminals has now been handed back out to good causes in the county.

The Cumbria Crime Commissioner’s Property Fund has been divided between eight groups, including Inside Out Soccer Activities and Multisports Activities, both in Dalton, Ulverston Amateur Swimming Club and the Upper Eden Community First Responders.

Each was given £300 from a pot of cash seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Commissioner, Richard Rhodes, said: “The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Property Fund has been established to return to the community money seized in the county from criminal activity.

“It is good to see so many community groups coming forward for funding in conjunction with their Community Policing Teams.”

He said the money given to the Upper Eden Community First Responders will part-fund a permanent defibrillator in Kirkby Stephen.