Ninefields Community Centre will receive £16,500 from the Criminal Justice Board

Under the Community Cashback scheme, Ninefields Community Centre, in Waltham Abbey, will receive £16,500 to restore damage caused by vandalism and erect a new sculpture.

The funding for the project will come from money seized from crooks by the Criminal Justice Board with three projects across Essex selected for funding.

Headteacher at Ninefields-based Hillhouse Primary School Helen Springett said: “Of course we welcome it. There's a lot of people trying to do really positive things here like the new children's centre at my school.

“I think it's a really positive investment in the community. A lot of children at my school use it for dance lessons.”

Stephen Boost of Boost Bookmakers, in Ninefields, said the renovation might help reduce anti-social behaviour on the estate.

He said: “It seems to have slowed down a little bit now, but in the middle of summer it was appalling outside. Unfortunately there's not much of a presence from police although you do see some community support officers.

“This is good news. It'll help as long as the centre's staffed and policed. If not it's just somewhere for youths to hang around drinking.”

Under the project, the currently dilapidated entrance to the centre will be renovated, and an art project set up with local young people to create a 3D sculpture for the front wall.

Councillor for Ninefields Stuart Pryde said: “As you can imagine we are over the moon. People power has won through, and it's nice that the community has got behind the project to make it happen. It goes to show there's community spirit in Waltham Abbey.”

Chair of the Essex Criminal Justice Board Ken Caley said: “It is fantastic that we have been able to respond to the communities’ needs and that the ill-gotten gains of criminals will now be channelled into projects that will make a real and positive difference to the local community and hopefully also the lives of individuals.”