Money laundering training news 19/01/2009 Sussex police reclaim £1.5m and launch new campaign

Sussex police have benefited from reclaiming proceeds of crime worth £1.5million between April and December 2008, said a police spokesperson this week. The money has been used for purposes of fighting crime and money laundering training for the force.

The figures were released as the force announced the figures to coincide with the launch of a campaign called Too Much Bling, Give Us A Ring. The campaign asks people to report suspicions of people who are apparently wealthy beyond their legitimate income, suggesting that there may be criminal property involved in those lifestyles.

Detective Sergeant Mick Richards, from the regions money laundering investigation team, said, Members of the public are sick and tired of seeing people with no legitimate income living a lavish lifestyle and this is their opportunity to do something about it.

Its incredibly disheartening for people to see others living affluent lives off the back of crime when they are leading honest lives and working hard, particularly in the current climate.

Some criminals view a period in prison as an occupational hazard, but the Economic Crime Unit of Sussex Police will seek to strip them of their criminal gained assets as well - and this is where it will hit them hardest.

The use, in part, of assets reclaimed under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to contribute toward further money laundering training is intended to create a virtuous circle under which the force can better pursue breaches of money laundering law, and therefore better fund further training. Evidence for the success of this model may be seen in areas such as Leicestershire and Cleveland, where it has led to confiscation orders against criminal property totalling more than £3million.

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