Seized Criminal Assets Fund Robotics Dreams

Seized Criminal Assets Fund Robotics Dreams at Macclesfield Air Cadets

When Flight Lt Spike Elliott, Commanding Officer of 201 Macclesfield Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets, describes their new robotics project as “a little bit Robot Wars,” the excitement in the room is palpable.

Thanks to funding from Cheshire’s SWAP fund, young cadets are now building, programming, and competing with sophisticated robots, all while developing skills that could shape their future careers.

From Criminal Proceeds to Community Projects

The SWAP (Safety, Working Together, Action, Prevention) fund takes money seized from criminals and reinvests it directly into community projects across Cheshire.

For 201 Squadron, this meant £2,157.54 towards their VEX robotics programme – a sum that’s making a real difference to young people in Macclesfield.

Dan Price, Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, visited the squadron to see the results firsthand. “This is a great reason why we have the SWAP fund, where we seize criminal assets and we put that money into community organisations who can try out new ideas,” he explained during the visit.

The investment is already paying dividends. Since May 2024, the SWAP fund has distributed £400,000 of seized criminal money into community groups, the biggest amount ever, and there’s more to come.

Building More Than Robots

The VEX project is part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education, but it’s delivering far more than technical skills.

When the kit arrived in flat-pack form, cadets aged 13 and 14 had to build everything themselves, learning hands-on engineering in the process.

“The cadets themselves have built these robots,” says Commanding Officer Flt Lt Elliott. “There’s programming, so you can program in with the computers to make them work, from picking up, delivering, based around science and mathematics.”

Every Tuesday evening, a dedicated team of 8 to 12 cadets works with Civilian Instructors on their robots, preparing for competitions. The sessions run from 6:30pm before integrating with the main parade evening at 7pm.

Meet the Team

Sergeant Aidan Reynolds has been working on a robot called DEX since September, spending two months building it from blueprint to reality. The robot uses conveyor belts to pick up balls and deposit them in slots—fast, precise, and impressive to watch.

For Reynolds, the cadets offer more than just robotics. He’s currently completing his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through the programme – a significant achievement at any age.

Cadet Alice Woodward is the team’s main driver, skilfully manoeuvring DEX through its paces. She chose electronics as a GCSE option and sees the robotics project as perfect preparation. “It’s quite an interesting hobby to have and just quite a nice thing to enjoy before cadets as well,” she says.

When asked about the competition, her competitive spirit shows: “I hope the best that we win, and yeah, I’m really looking forward to the competitions.”

Opening Doors to Future Careers

For Dan Price, the real value lies in the opportunities these projects create. “There’s all sorts of skills that you develop as a young person with regards to making robotics a reality. It’s going to lead to all sorts of opportunities for possible careers,” he noted during his visit.

One cadet he spoke with is already interested in engineering making this investment particularly meaningful. But others are discovering potential career paths they hadn’t previously considered.
“Who knows where it will lead, but I’m excited to hear that Cheshire’s now got kit to be in the competitions, and hopefully we start to hear more about the Macclesfield Squadron,” Price added.

More Than Flying

The Air Training Corps, formed in 1941, is one of the UK’s largest youth organisations, attracting young people aged 12 to 17 regardless of gender. While flying and gliding remain central attractions, the organisation now offers target shooting, sports, adventure training, and operates as one of the largest providers of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

As Flt Lt Elliott puts it: “A cadet’s ambition is only limited by what they want to do.”

How the SWAP Fund Works

The SWAP fund demonstrates a simple but powerful principle: money taken from criminals should benefit the communities they’ve harmed. The fund accepts applications from community groups looking to try innovative projects that make Cheshire safer and stronger.

“We have a really high quality of bids, and we can try out all sorts of weird and wonderful ideas, and this is one good example,” says Price. “This is why the fund exists.”

The robotics project at 201 Squadron perfectly illustrates the fund’s potential. Without this investment, as Flt Lt Elliott acknowledges, “we wouldn’t be able to continue the good work that we’re doing.”

Getting Involved

Parents interested in finding out more about 201 Macclesfield Squadron can search online for “201 Macclesfield Squadron Air Cadets” to find contact details and Facebook page. The squadron has an intake planned for March.

For community groups interested in applying to the SWAP fund, visit the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s website for more information.

As the cadets prepare for their February competitions, they’re carrying more than just their robots, they are carrying the hopes of a community that’s turned criminal proceeds into genuine opportunity.

That’s money well spent!