The UK Government has stripped criminals of £84m. Police forces are to receive £13m of this.

In the year 2004-2005 £84m was recovered using powers from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. 2003-2004 saw £54.5m being recovered.

Police forces for the first time are to see some of the cash. The Metropolitan police receive the largest chunk with £4m. The National Crime Squad and Greater Manchester Police also benefit.

Home Office Minister for Financial Crime, said: "This achievement sends a clear message to criminals: crime does not pay and profiting from crime will not be tolerated. Recovering criminal assets is a vital part of the Government's strategy to cut crime and make the criminal justice system more effective.

Home Office Minister for Financial Crime, said: "This achievement sends a clear message to criminals: crime does not pay and profiting from crime will not be tolerated. Recovering criminal assets is a vital part of the Government's strategy to cut crime and make the criminal justice system more effective.

As part of our commitment, the Government introduced the Proceeds of Crime Act in 2002 and this has given prosecutors and law enforcement agencies additional powers to investigate and recover criminal assets, with great success. We have introduced a number of new initiatives, which will reward police and front-line agencies for their work in seizing assets, and have provided additional funding for the police and other agencies to build capacity. All this has contributed to some great achievements in asset recovery.""

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