Local collection of Proceeds of Crime Act is working well but the system could be improved overall

National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Crime, Chief Constable Mike Barton said:

"The HASC report states that the enforcement of the Proceeds of Crime Act must remain at a local level.  96 per cent of all local orders under £1000 were collected, acting as a useful tactic for disrupting criminals and fighting crime.  The problem is with orders of over a million pounds where only 22 per cent are collected. 

"The system does need improvement, particularly in terms of improving the speed at which courts process orders. National coordination in higher cost cases would be very valuable but oversight of all local confiscations is unlikely to make a positive difference.  Improvements could also be achieved by bolstering the regional asset confiscation enforcement teams that have demonstrably improved their use of the act to collect more money from criminals at regional level."