CHESHIRE police are set to receive a £65,000 cash boost from assets recovered from criminals in the county.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said the money covers the period July to September 2008 and represents one sixth of the total amount seized.
A total of £5.44m will be given to police forces in England and Wales, compared with £3.71m paid out in the same quarter last year.
Last year, Cheshire Constabulary invested in more staff to track and seize assets on behalf of the public from those who profit from crime.
Officers in Cheshire are successfully using the Proceeds of Crime Act to send a clear message to the criminal fraternity, actively pursuing the assets of criminals who profit from crime.
Seizing assets puts an end to any thoughts offenders may have of using their gains to fund their future lifestyle.
Detective Inspector Giles Orton, who heads Cheshire’s asset recovery team, said: “We are taking money from criminals, which makes crime much less profitable for those who make a living from crime.
“This money is then ploughed straight back into the force, guaranteeing reinvestment into the local community and local policing and enhancing public reassurance and confidence.
“Taking the criminals’ ill-gained profit makes it plain to anyone thinking about embarking on a life of crime that it really doesn’t pay.”
