The Manitoba government is providing over 17-thousand dollars through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to the Winnipeg Police Service.

Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced yesterday the funds would allow the service to  purchase equipment and undergo training that will allow investigators working with seized firearms to better track and restore their serial numbers.

Goertzen said the funding will help investigators trace the origin of firearms, identify suspects and determine how criminals are illegally acquiring firearms, with the ultimate goal to remove firearms from the streets of Winnipeg.

Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $20 million back to communities throughout the province. The program seizes and liquidates criminal assets, and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety.