The Scottish Government-funded Street Football initiative, which is funded from the proceeds of crime has already attracted hundreds of young people from throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Football Association is running Street Football events the length and breadth of the country at 92 venues over the Easter school holidays.

The events are part of the Government's CashBack for Communities scheme which uses the money and goods seized from serious organised criminals to make a real difference to the lives of young people across Scotland.

Speaking in advance of visiting a Street Football event in Dundee, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:

"The vast majority of Scotland's young people are law abiding, although there are still too many getting involved in crime and antisocial behaviour. The devil finds time for idle hands. Giving kids the chance to burn off their energy playing football keeps them from getting up to mischief or worse.

"The Scottish Government wants all of our young people to have the opportunity to realise their potential and give them hopes and aspirations for the future.

"It is really encouraging that already hundreds of young people throughout Scotland have taken advantage of these free football activities during their school holidays.

"Football as our national game can play a part in giving young people positive things to do with their lives. That is why, as part of our CashBack for Communities scheme, we are supporting a number of football-related activities, including six schools-based academies, which will see upwards of 30,000 young people participating across the country.

"As well as the football activities, we are funding youth projects in all 32 local authority areas in Scotland and will shortly announce details of funding for other sporting activities as well as arts and culture activities.

"It is fitting that we are taking the ill-gotten gains of criminals and using them to give something back to our communities. We want to show our children and young people that there is a better way.

"CashBack for Communities is the means by which we will do so, making a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland and helping them to be all they can be."