POCA - Proceeds of Crime
Find out more about the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) here
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, police can seize assets from criminals if they have been funded through crime. The legislation allows the police to hit burglars, car thieves, and drug dealers hard in their pockets and stop them profiting from their actions. A share of the cash will be given back to police to help fight crime.
Detective Superintendent Jane Swinburne, Head of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “The legislation allows us to hit criminals where it hurts – in their pockets – and I hope our efforts will act as a deterrent to other would-be criminals from breaking the law. We want to show them that crime doesn’t pay, but it costs and they won’t profit from their ill gotten gains in our county.”
Detective Superintendent Swinburne continued: “You can help us if you suspect someone in your community from profiting from crime by calling 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, an independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111. ”
Since the act came in to force, Hertfordshire Constabulary has seized a Porsche, a Mercedes, a Ferrari, designer clothes, jewellery, cash and even a light aircraft from criminals.
The Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board members collectively own the performance for the Proceeds of Crime Confiscation Orders made for the county. Removing the status of assets from convicted criminals demonstrates to communities that not only can you receive a custodial sentence for breaking the law, but also lose your lifestyle as part of the conviction.
Marianne Vits, Development Manager for the Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board, said: “Once the Confiscation Order is set, it never goes away until it is paid in full including any interest accrued, even if the prison sentence is served. This is powerful as it keeps this offender in close contact with the court service having to make regular payments, these payments are determined by monitoring their income.
“POCA is a powerful piece of legislation which can be used to demonstrate how the criminal justice agencies working together can raise confidence in the whole Criminal Justice System”
Hertfordshire Police Authority Chair Stuart Nagler, commented: “This latest success highlights the tremendous work the Constabulary are doing in targeting criminals who are benefiting from their crimes and further reinforces the message that they will come down hard on criminals who are leading a lavish lifestyle funded by their criminal activity.
“Hertfordshire is clearly performing well in this area and illustrates that criminals will be caught and made to pay for their crimes in this county.”