Seizing Criminal Assets

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, criminals across the region can have their illegal earnings and possessions taken away even if they are not convicted of the crimes they are alleged to have committed.

It's up to the criminal themselves to prove they've acquired the cash legitimately. The money will be ploughed back into further asset recovery work to help yet more cash be seized.

Last year more than £4.74 million in assets were seized from Yorkshire-based criminals.

What happens to the money?

All of the money seized from criminals is divided into three parts, all of which are aimed at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour at a local, regional and national level.

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.

But most importantly, the local community can now 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 or to nominate a project to receive funds please visit the Criminal Justice Service Online website.

West Yorkshire: The Anneli Project

The Anneli Project will provide safe accommodation and support for women who have been trafficked for sex into and within the UK. A steering group of local agencies, including the police, local voluntary sector organisations and housing associations has been working together to set up the project.

The project will enable women to escape from the people who trafficked them and continue to force them into prostitution, provide them with the range of support they need to rebuild their lives and either settle safely in the UK or return to their country of origin.

West Yorkshire Case Study

CPS announces £500,000 assets seizure from Bradford couple

In February 2010, a Bradford couple, received a total of 11 years in prison after being found guilty at an earlier hearing of multiple charges of drug dealing and money laundering. The CPS will use the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize the considerable proceeds of their criminal activities, amounting to over half a million pounds.

The pair, who claimed to have an income of less than £5,000, despite owning a large house and living a very comfortable lifestyle, received nearly £57,000 in benefits between 2001 and 2007.

The couple operated numerous bank accounts, four of which were of particular interest to the prosecution. The accounts were found to have received cash credits totalling £266,646 - which was far in excess of the couple's declared income and benefit payments.

Considerable sums were transferred from and between these accounts at various times. The clear inference is that this money represented the proceeds of criminal activity, and proceedings are underway to seize the house and the money in the bank accounts, together worth over half a million pounds.

CPS Prosecutor and North and West Yorkshire POCA specialist, Julian Briggs said:

"We are delighted with this result, and that Noonan and Standing are now facing many years behind bars for their crimes.

"Not only did they dishonestly claim benefits to which they were not entitled, they were clearly engaged in criminal activity on a large scale.  We worked closely with West Yorkshire Police and financial investigation specialists to build a robust case to bring before the court.

"This result sends a clear message that the CPS will not only vigorously prosecute criminals like Noonan and Standing, but also make every effort to seize the proceeds of their criminal activities."

North Yorkshire: Talking Space

The money will be used to provide an information, support and counselling service for survivors of rape, domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The service will cover Harrogate, Ripon and rural areas as there are currently no specialised services in these areas.

South Yorkshire: The Circus Space in the Green Space

This project will restore a derelict churchyard which has attracted arson, vandalism, theft and anti-social behaviour.

Young volunteers, diverted from anti-social activities, will help to:

• Cut back overgrowth
• Reinstate pathways
• Make gravestones safe
• Install lighting, litter bins and seating
• Plant bulbs and fruit trees.

It is hoped this will help them to gain confidence and social skills valuable in education and work, and improve community confidence.

Humberside: East Marsh Gating Scheme

This area has been identified as suffering the highest levels of anti-social behaviour in the country. The East Marsh Gating Scheme aims to tackle this.

The scheme will close off 36 public footpaths through an open plan estate, allowing access to residents only, as the permeability of the area is thought to be a contributory factor to the high crime levels.