Getting at London's ill-gotten gains

01/10/2009

Everyday, juries across London are convicting offenders of criminal activity which has made them a considerable amount of money. As well as receiving a possible prison sentence, convicted offenders can also be stripped of their assets.

When investigations first begin an order can be gained, which means assets are frozen. When the trial is over and the offender convicted, our specialist lawyers along with other criminal justice agencies go after that money.

It may take months or even years to recover. However, there are big sums being returned to the public purse. In the three months since April, the confiscation team working for CPS London have taken the lead in recovering over £800,000.

One of the team's prosecutors said: "Our one and only focus is claiming back these ill-gotten gains and by having a dedicated team we can tackle confiscation orders thoroughly and in a sophisticated way.

"Many criminals view prison as an occupational hazard and are adept at hiding their assets both here and abroad so they are there to enjoy on their release.

"One popular tactic is for a criminal's spouse to use divorce proceedings to try and hang on to the assets.

"Ultimately, we have to be resourceful and persistent to stay one step ahead of the criminals."

The CPS London confiscation enforcement team have got money back in a variety of ways, for example by securing court orders to seize control of the offender'sbank accounts or making arrangements to sell their assets.

Offenders living the high life abroad, driving fast cars or staying in palatial houses have quickly found the party is over.

So what happens to the money that is recovered from confiscation orders? If the offender has been told to pay compensation then the money is paid back to the criminal's victims.

Otherwise the money is used to fund greater use of the proceeds of crime powers by criminal justice agencies.

But it also can go back to helping you. The Community Cashback scheme will enable thousands of pounds found in the house of video pirates£95,000to beset aside to fund community projects across London.

Over the course of the next year CPS London's confiscation team anticipates working on around 400 cases.

Each one teaches the offenders that crime does not pay.