The Chair of Cleveland Police Authority says a £72,000 cash boost from the Force's work in recovering assets from criminals 'sends a very clear message that, as well as bringing criminals to justice, we will do everything possible to prevent them benefitting from their activities.'
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker has today announced that forces across England and Wales will receive a total of £5.5million as their share of criminal assets totalling £31.8million confiscated between October and December last year.
Cleveland is to receive £72,049 -- the highest amount allocated to any force in the North East and North Yorkshire -- and Councillor Dave McLuckie says it demonstrates the determination to track down criminals and their cash.
He explained "What the public want to see is that, as well as criminals being caught and brought to justice, the police, together with other agencies such as the courts, crown Prosecution Service and Revenue and Customs,, work to trace and recover the 'profits' from crime wherever possible.
"Obviously the money we have been awarded from our recent successes in asset recovery is helpful -- it's roughly the equivalent of funding two police officers -- but equally important is the impact it has in striking a blow against crime, especially the activities of organised gangs."
Added Chief Constable Sean Price said: "The Force has used this legislation effectively since it came into being and today's news demonstrates that Cleveland Police continues to make the best possible use of these additional powers.
"Increasingly we are looking at how criminals fund their lifestyles, particularly expensive cars or houses. If we can identify that property or cash has been obtained through criminality, we will seize their assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act to send out a clear message that crime does not pay."