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Taking the profit out of crime
CRIMINALS living lavish lifestyles have been counting the cost as police seized assets worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The week-long campaign to hit criminals in the pocket has resulted in Calderdale police seizing cash, property and cars, worth 680,000 from one Halifax man alone.
They also found 10,000 under the driver's seat of a car stopped in Halifax for a routine check. Another 20,000 was found by officers carrying out a drugs raid in Todmorden where cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin were also discovered.
Specialist detectives and financial investigators have been working with the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Customs and the Criminal Justice Board to pinpoint criminals living on the the profits of their crimes.
Detective Chief Insp Paul Fountain said there was nowhere for criminals to hide.
"We are taking the profit out of crime and I am hitting the criminals where it hurts them the most – in their pockets.
"There is nowhere to hide for criminals who think they can live it up on the proceeds of crime."
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 gives police wide ranging powers to confiscate and seize criminals' assets. They can target criminals who live an expensive lifestyle but have no legitimate means of income.
A specialist team of detectives, based in Calderdale, will focus solely on stripping criminals of assets generated by crime.
"We will find them and use all our powers to take away their cars, their money and their homes," said Det Chief Insp Fountain.
The cash which has been recovered can be used to fund crime-fighting initiatives and given back to communities damaged by crime.
Anyone with information about people living off the proceeds of crime can contact Crimestop-pers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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