MORE than £2million has been clawed back from criminals in the last year.
It follows confiscation and forfeiture orders by Warwickshire and West Mercia Police’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU).
A total of £2.4million was taken out of the pockets of culprits including fraudsters, thieves and drug traffickers, with more than £750,000 used to compensate victims.
The ECU also secured more than £100,000 in cash forfeiture applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act which allows officers to seize cash, as well as assets including cars and houses which have been bought using ill-gotten gains.
Det Insp Mark Glazzard, head of the ECU, said the amount should send out a clear message to all criminals, or those thinking of getting involved in illegal activity, that crime does not pay.
“This legislation allows us to hit criminals where it can hurt the most – in their pockets,” he said.
“I hope communities are reassured that this significant result shows our commitment to ensuring offenders do not leave the judicial system with the benefit from their criminality intact.
“We work alongside our partner agencies, the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, to use all available legislation to secure compensation for victims and to ensure that offenders do not keep hold of their ill-gotten gains.”
Anyone who suspects someone could be involved in criminal activity should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.
