Criminals take note, crime does not pay...

POLICE in Greater Manchester have seized £2,258,937 from suspected criminals in 263 raids under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the last year.

The legislation allows officers to seize cash if suspected criminals are carrying more than £1,000 — if they believe that the money has been made from or will be used to fund further criminal activity.

Magistrates courts then decide if the cash should be forfeited in which case it is used to support policing, the justice system and development projects in communities blighted by crime.

Last year £50,000 was split between seven community projects in Greater Manchester in grants of between £5,000 and £15,000.

Beneficiaries included a community skate park, youth, boxing and football clubs and allotment projects.

Since January, £255,000 of Payback funds have been divided between the 12 policing divisions in Greater Manchester to be used for a range of local policing priorities.

Payback is an extra weapon in the police’s fight against crime.

It is designed to stop offenders profiting from illegal activities and investing in further crime and to help repair some of the damage they have inflicted on their communities.

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney from Greater Manchester Police said: “Payback hits criminals where it really hurts — in their pockets, and reinforces the message that crime does not pay. Many criminals in our area will not be enjoying the Christmas they were planning thanks to officers and the courts taking their ill-gotten gains from them.