£84,000 seized from criminals

Criminals have been left out of pocket after police successfully obtained forfeiture orders on more than £80,000.

Greater Manchester Police’s cash investigation team obtained orders yesterday against eight people for a total of £84,930 after money was seized from them. The largest amount taken from one person was £28,000.

During the hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court officers were able to convince the magistrates that the cash was either derived from or intended to be used in a variety of crimes including drug dealing, handling stolen jewellery, money laundering and car crime.

Greater Manchester Police has the power to seize cash amounts of more than £1,000 if it is believed the money has been made through criminal activity.

Half the money will be put into the community payback scheme.

Det Con John Townsend, a financial investigator, said: “This action strengthens communities by showing crime does not pay and makes the cash available for community projects.

“It also prevents crime by not only disrupting the individual criminals but severely disrupting the illegal markets in which they operate.

“These forfeitures demonstrate that we will make the best use of powers to ensure criminals are not allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their crime.”