West Midlands Police has successfully reclaimed over £3 million of illicit earnings from convicted criminals during 2024, using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to target illegal wealth.
The substantial recovery includes high-profile seizures, such as £150,000 hidden in a cardboard box within a car boot in Hockley, Birmingham, and approximately £100,000 linked to drug-related activities in Coventry.
The force emphasises its commitment to ensuring crime does not pay. The economic crime unit, spearheaded by Detective Inspector Lauren Ades, continues to investigate financial trails tied to criminal activity.
The process involves scrutinising evidence to trace and confiscate illegal earnings, offering what police describe as a “double blow” to offenders: imprisonment followed by the loss of illicit gains.
During 2024, more than 175 confiscation and forfeiture orders were issued, targeting proceeds from crimes such as drug trafficking and fraud.
The recovered funds are not only stripped from offenders but also reinvested into community projects, crime prevention initiatives, and public safety efforts, benefiting society at large.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster highlighted that £330,000 of the recovered money has been allocated to community projects via his My Community Fund initiative.
Beneficiaries include youth hubs, boxing clubs, and other grassroots organisations aimed at fostering positive change and supporting young people.
