CASH recovered from convicted drug dealers is to be ploughed back into the communities of East Lancashire -- to fight drugs.

Over coming months, police officers from across the county will be able to apply for cash to help fund schemes to tackle drug dealing.

The money available comes directly from criminals who have profited from drug dealing, and will be handed to the most innovative and creative ideas.

Detective Superintendent Bob Helm, Lancashire Constabulary's 'drug champion,' today claimed the move was 'payback time' for police officers and the community.

The scheme was today welcomed by a local group helping drug users to rehabilitate.

Mr Helm said: "I want the community to know we are taking money off drug dealers and it's going back to something worthwhile. Having been in charge of groups of officers at different times in my career I know it isn't often they have the chance to bring some money to the table in meetings with partners.

"This gives them the opportunity and shows that they are prepared to work with the partners, like councils and tenants associations, and put money in."

Under the law, criminal assets can be seized through the Proceeds of Crime Act, but there is a threshold of £5,000, below which the Act cannot be used. But smaller amounts of cash can still be seized by courts.

Father Jim McCartney, head of drugs counselling charity Thomas (Those on the Margins of a Society), said: "We would welcome such a move. Organisations working in the drug treatment sector often struggle for funding to develop their services and it's good to know there is a new source available.

"It sends out a very clear message to people making huge amounts of profits selling drugs that the police are on to them and their assets could be taken."

Mr Helm is responsible for managing the smaller amounts of cash seized by the courts, and £25,000 will be made available as part of the new scheme. The money will be managed by LANPAC, the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, but it is expected to be at least May before any is given out.

In East Lancashire, a number of successful drug raids have been carried out under the force's Operation Nimrod. Since its launch in 2002, Nimrod has resulted in more than 300 people being sentenced to a total of 1,000 years in jail. As a result, police say it has been harder for people to buy drugs.

Mr Helm said: "There is never a huge amount but for me it is a chance to put money right back into the community."