Seizing criminal assets

It's not right that criminals should be able to enjoy the fruits of their crimes when they are released from prison, and the Proceeds of Crime Act now lets us see to it that they don't. We can seize illegal earnings and possessions from offenders and compensate victims from the money. It's up to the criminal to prove they've acquired the cash legitimately.

What happens to the money?

The Home Office receives a share to tackle crime and disorder nationally.

The local criminal justice system including the CPS, police, courts, probation and prisons receive a share to tackle crime locally.

Victims can be compensated and now the local community can also receive a share through Community Cashback.

Community Cashback is a new scheme in England and Wales which gives local people a say in how £4 million of recovered criminal assets (for example confiscated cash or property) should be spent in their communities.

For more on Community Cashback please visit the Criminal Justice Service Online website.