Week Of Action Shows Crime Doesnt Pay
Tuesday, 03 February, 2009
Criminals have been hit were it hurts during a week of action in West
Yorkshire, which has seen, cash, cars and assets seized by police.
Officers have been working along side the Serious Organised Crime Agency
(SOCA) HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and other asset recovery agents in
order to disrupt criminals and seize their assets which they have got
through ill gotten gains.
From Monday 26th January officers from across the force area executed 35
warrants at addresses in West Yorkshire and 30 people were arrested in
connection with drugs, money laundering and fraud offences. Officers also
seized £220, 000 in cash, high value vehicles worth approximately £600, 000
and drugs with an estimated street value of £1 million. This includes
Heroin, Ecstasy, Cannabis, Amphetamine and Crack ****.
The week of action aimed to raise awareness of powers available in order to
seize assets from criminals and to take positive action against those who
are living lavish lifestyles with no legitimate means of income.
Detective Chief Superintendent Howard Crowther, West Yorkshire Police’s
Head of Crime Division said: “The results seen during the week of action
has shown that criminals are really being hit where it hurts in West
Yorkshire.
“We’re not going to stop there though; we will continue to take cash, cars,
houses and any other assets criminals have in order to put them out of
business, because why should they be allowed to live off the proceeds of
crime.
“West Yorkshire Police would like local communities to also ask that
question, why should they (criminals) be allowed to live off their ill
gotten gains at the expense of others?
“Its important that police, partner agencies and local communities work
together and show criminals that they can not carry on living off the
proceeds of crime and at the expense of others.”
Gerry Smyth, North East Head of Investigations for the Serious Organised
Crime Agency SOCA said: “The positive action taken against criminals in
West Yorkshire should serve as a warning, that we will not tolerate
negative role models living within local communities.
“By working with our partners we have been able to use all the powers
available to us and have seized assets linked with criminality.
“We will continue our work to take the cash out of crime.”
There are other criminals within your communities living off the proceeds
of crime, Why Should They? Ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, that’s all
it takes. For further details visit
www.whyshouldthey.com.
