TIVERTON Town Under 18s football team have scored a winner after being awarded some cash from the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

The mid Devon male youth team has been given £300 towards new equipment including footballs.

The money comes as a result of convicted criminals having their cash or assets seized by police.  Funds are re-directed away from offenders and put to good use in local areas.   

Community groups can apply for funding to help residents enjoy a variety of activities in places across Devon and Cornwall.

Some groups offer sessions which can divert people away from getting into trouble and give them a healthy lifestyle and something to do, others boost mental health or help struggling or bereaved families.    

Tiverton Town is establishing a strong community base, and in addition to the boys U18 team, has a girls U16 side and Ability Counts squads – these have been set up for players who are passionate about football but may struggle to play within a mainstream team.

The club’s home ground is the Ian Moorcroft Stadium, Ladysmead, Bolham Road, Tiverton.

The Tiverton Town Under 18s coach and manager Alan Findlay said: “We are very pleased to be given this sum of money to buy football equipment for the team. This is great news as we prepare for the start of the new season.

“We have also managed to secure a sponsor for the match kit and will continue to seek much needed funding for the season ahead. We have a very enthusiastic group of players aged between 15 and 17, supported by committed parents and coaches who are all looking forward to a successful season in the Devon County Youth League 2024/25.”

Last year communities across Exeter, East and Mid Devon, as well as North and West Devon received a total of around £20,000 in POCA funding.  

If you wish to find out more about POCA funding or are thinking about applying please contact your local Neighbourhood Police Team via the Devon and Cornwall Force website: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk .

Devon and Cornwall Police area is one of the safest places to live in England and Wales with the third lowest crime according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics.  

For more information about these findings please visit: www.ons.gov.uk .

To get updates on neighbourhood policing in Tiverton please follow Tiverton Police on Facebook.

For more information about Tiverton Town Football Club please visit www.tivertontownfc.co.uk .