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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Criminals' seized assets helped 26,000 young people in Inverclyde, new figures show
MORE than 26,000 young people in Inverclyde have been helped by a scheme set up to plough assets seized from criminals back into local communities, according to new figures. Almost £2.2 million has been spent in the area since the CashBack for Communities scheme was set up in 2008, the Scottish Government has revealed. The initiative has helped fund Morton in the Community's Off the Bench programme, which aims to help young people across Inverclyde build better futures through access to education, physical and mental health support, as well as providing sailing opportunities through the Greenock-based Ocean Youth Trust. The programme uses money recovered from seized criminal assets to provide crucial support to young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in offending or antisocial behaviour. READ MORE: Open day to show off success of Morton community programme funded by criminals' seized assets Over the years, CashBack for Communities funding has also been used to fund 'Midnight League' football sessions for local youngsters and education sessions in local schools on the dangers of carrying knives, as well as school holiday activity programmes and new play facilities for children. The Scottish Government says that £2,187,132 has been spent in Inverclyde under the programme in the 16 years from 2008 to 2024, with 26,088 young people helped as a result. In 2023-24, the most recent year for which information is available, the government says 361 young people in Inverclyde were supported by the initiative, with funding of £135,379 delivered in the area. The government is now seeking applications for funding for the next phase of the programme, which runs from 2026 to 2029 and will see up to £26m provided to groups across Scotland. CashBack for Communities funds Morton in the Community's Off the Bench programme. (Image: Supplied) Applications for funding open on June 12. More information is available at The government says successful projects in the next stage of the programme will deliver a range of activities and support for those aged 10 to 25, to help tackle some of the underlying causes of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity. Since 2008 CashBack for Communities has invested £156 million and supported around 1.4 million young people across all 32 local authorities in Scotland. Siobhian Brown MSP, minister for community safety, said: 'CashBack for Communities is inspiring. It turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year. The scheme has funded sailing opportunities for young people with the Greenock-based Ocean Youth Trust. 'Over the course of the next three years of the programme, we are providing £26 million to organisations to deliver diversionary and support work with children and young people. "By learning new skills and boosting their confidence, it helps young people in our communities who are at risk of becoming involved in crime be diverted from that path and realise their potential. 'Since its inception more than a million young people have received support to turn their lives around, with opportunities provided into employment, education or volunteering. "CashBack's success is also testament to the work of law enforcement partners in disrupting organised crime groups – bringing them to justice and seizing their ill-gotten gains, using them to deliver a successful programme across the country.'
STV News
03-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Two men hit by falling masonry during demolition of derelict housing estate
Two men have been injured while working on the demolition of a derelict housing estate dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl'. Police were called to Clune Park in Inverclyde around 3pm on Friday after the men, aged 31 and 20, were struck by a piece of falling masonry. The pair were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment. The incident comes as the long-awaited demolition got underway at the site with a fire-damaged church the first building to be torn down. It is part of the first phase of demolition works, which will also see an old primary school building and an initial 138 properties across 15 tenement blocks razed to the ground. There are around 430 residential properties across 45 tenement blocks in total at Clune Park, most of which are or were privately-owned. Dangerous buildings notices were served following extensive investigations by council building standards officers and external surveyors. Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: 'While the former church, school and initial batch of residential properties are being demolished on safety grounds, this is a significant milestone nonetheless. 'Clune Park was once a thriving and desirable community but sadly most of the properties are now beyond repair for a variety of reasons. 'However, Clune Park is in a great location with excellent transport links and can rise from the ashes and become a good place to live once again. 'The demolition works are the first key step towards achieving that goal of regenerating Clune Park and attracting the investment required to build quality, affordable housing for the people of Port Glasgow and Inverclyde.' The first tranche of flats to be demolished is opposite the former church building. The properties will be knocked down after the former church and school buildings have been dismantled. Work is being carried out by Greenock-based company Caskie Limited. Inverclyde Council has been acquiring properties in Clune Park for several years and now owns a significant proportion of the estate. The vast majority of the estate is derelict and the residential blocks, former school and the old church buildings have all been badly affected by deliberate fires and anti-social behaviour. A new Clune Park masterplan was approved by the council in November 2023 with the ultimate aim of demolishing the estate and building up to 165 new, affordable homes for social rent. The masterplan is subject to a variety of factors, including securing ownership of the remainder of the estate, obtaining planning permission, and attracting the necessary external funding to build new homes. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'Around 3pm on Friday, May 2, 2025, police were made aware two men, aged 31 and 20, had been injured at a premises at Montgomerie Street, Port Glasgow. 'Emergency services attended and both were taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital for treatment. 'The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Two men taken to hospital after being injured in demolition of ‘Scotland's Chernobyl'
Demolition bosses say an investigation will be carried out 999 DASH Two men taken to hospital after being injured in demolition of 'Scotland's Chernobyl' TWO men have been taken to hospital after being injured in the demolition of a ghost town estate dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl'. The workers, aged 20 and 31, were hit by a piece of falling stonework at around 3pm on Friday at the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde. Advertisement 1 Two workers were taken to hospital after sustaining injuries in the demolition of Clune Park estate Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Fortunately, neither suffered serious injuries, and both were discharged from hospital later that evening. One of the men was left with bruising. The demolition is being carried out by Greenock-based contractors Caskie Limited. Bosses say they will carry out a full investigation into the incident. Advertisement Director Euan Caskie told the BBC the firm has "robust" health and safety procedures in place but could not comment further until staff interviews had been conducted. Police attended the scene following the incident and the Health and Safety Executive has reportedly been informed. Wrecking crews started tearing down the estate, which has been abandoned since the late 1990s, earlier this week. The eyestore Clune Park estate was in such a grim state that Inverclyde Council once compared it to the Ukrainian town of Pripyat, which has been abandoned and completely uninhabitable since the Chernobyl reactor exploded in 1986. Advertisement We told previously how the hellhole scheme has become a magnet for vandals and urban explorers, with buildings covered in graffiti and broken windows. Piles of debris have littered the streets while some areas have had to be fenced off to stop people from entering dangerous buildings. Workers finally demolishing an abandoned housing estate dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl' Council bosses have been waiting to pull down the estate for many years but a dispute with a landlord who refused to sell up postponed the plans. Last August, the council confirmed it had bought up many of the properties and served dangerous building notices on the remaining structures, meaning demolition could finally begin.
STV News
30-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Demolition of 'Scotland's Chernobyl' housing estate begins
The long-awaited demolition of a derelict housing estate dubbed 'Scotland's Chernobyl' began on Wednesday. Clune Park, in Port Glasgow, was initially built to house shipyard workers, however, the properties were sold to private owners over time. Inverclyde Council announced its plans to demolish the properties last year following 'extensive investigations'. STV News Clune Park, Port Glasgow STV News Greenock-based Caskie Limited won the contract and have moved to the site and started the first phase of the demolition which is projected to take around six months. STV News Inverclyde Council announced its plans to demolish the properties last year following 'extensive investigations'. STV News Initially, 430 residential properties across 45 tenement blocks, the church and the fire damaged school will be razed to the ground. Members of the public have been urged to stay away from the largely abandoned area which has been targeted by deliberate fires and anti-social behaviour in recent times. A new Clune Park masterplan was approved by the council in November 2023 with the ultimate aim of demolishing the estate. Council leader Stephen McCabe told STV News: 'We're looking to build new houses on this site and build a new community, probably building around 150 houses for social housing. 'We want to build a new community and give it a bright future. It has a very good location, Clune Park, it is very close to the town centre and transport links. STV News Inverclyde Council announced its plans to demolish the properties last year following 'extensive investigations'. STV News 'I'm confident it will be a popular place to live once we build the new houses.' He hopes that lessons can be learned to ensure estate is ever left to rot again. Councillor McCabe said: 'I think the real lesson for Clune Park is that councillors don't have sufficient power to try and address the issues around private housing. 'That has meant we've had a long, torturous and costly process to get to the point we are today. 'I think the Scottish Government need to look at Clune Park as a lesson and see if councillors under the law can take action earlier than we were able to take.' The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
