North Yorkshire Police officers with one of the vehicles seized under the scheme

A rescue team’s junior club will be able to buy outdoor gear, thanks to criminals’ cash.

North Yorkshire Police donated £2,040 to the Outdoor Club, the junior section of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.

The money was part of a pot of cash seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act by the police’s financial investigation unit.

The rescue team’s share will buy ropes, harnesses and helmets for the club, which encourages young people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors, learning life skills from activities such as climbing, caving, walking, sailing and camping.

The club has more than 60 members aged between 12 and 18 with many staying on past their 18th birthday to become club leaders, develop their management and personal skills and eventually become fully fledged members of the rescue team.

The members come from all different backgrounds, from cities to isolated rural areas and some were previously involved in anti-social behaviour.

Fourteen charities and groups benefited from £25,000 made available by North Yorkshire Police from its Why Should They? campaign. The POCA enables the police to take money off criminals which has been obtained through criminal activity.

Last year, the financial investigation unit took £1.3m from North Yorkshire criminals. A percentage of this is given back to the force, which enables North Yorkshire Police to fund the Why Should They? campaign.

The winners were chosen through a scoring system which took into account the number of people who would benefit from their project, the quality of the management plan to deliver it and the group’s previous service to the community.

Head of the unit, Detective Inspector Ian Wills, said: “Once again, we are extremely impressed at the extent of the fantastic work going on in our communities to improve life for local people.

“It is an understatement to say it gives us great pleasure to be able to give something back to help keep these invaluable projects going. Especially when the cash has been taken from criminals.

“The winners have every right to be extremely proud of their work and the contribution they make to keep our communities safe and improve the quality of life in our neighbourhoods. Each group deserve every penny, our only regret is that we cannot give them more.”

Police urged members of the public to help the campaign by reporting anyone they suspect of living off illegal earnings by either calling North Yorkshire Police on 101 or passing on information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.