How seized criminal assets have funded new equipment to keep people safe

Ill-gotten gains seized from criminals have funded almost £37,500 of new crime prevention and engagement equipment to help Nottinghamshire Police keep people safe.

The confiscated cash and goods have funded 47 different types of crime prevention equipment, including decoy security cameras, bicycle D-locks, and high-visibility warning stickers for the force’s Prevention Hub.

Hundreds of robust locks, bolts, anti-climb deterrents and 1,500 bicycle registration kits, which make it easier for the police to reunite people with their bikes should they be stolen, have been secured to help residents prevent crime and feel safer in their homes.

New alarms to tackle burglaries from outbuildings, purse bells and chains to deter thieves, and personal alarms to deter violence against women and girls have also been obtained.

The drug and substance misuse team have secured anti-spiking beverage covers, bottle stoppers and stickers to increase awareness of Operation Cognition, which has partnered with Nottinghamshire’s football clubs to target the combined use of alcohol and cocaine at matches.

A specialist training course for the force’s drug expert witnesses has also been facilitated by the funding.

The engagement team, who run events to contact hard-to-reach communities and deliver the mini police and cadets programmes, will receive a new gazebo, banners, and other promotional material.

Each piece of equipment will be used by the force’s neighbourhood policing teams and specialist crime prevention officers to provide members of the public with deterrents and reduce repeat victims of crime.

Proceeds of crime is the phrase given to money or assets gained by offenders during their criminal activity.

Nottinghamshire Police has the power to seek to confiscate cash and assets so that crime does not pay. Targeting profits that fund a criminal lifestyle can help to disrupt the cycle of offending and prevent further crime.

The force has a team of specialist financial officers who use the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) legislation to take belongings from those found guilty of a range of offences, including drug-related and acquisitive crimes such as theft or burglary.

Money and goods seized by POCA are paid to the courts where the total value is divided under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme, which is split between the Home Office, Criminal Prosecution Service, the courts, and the police.

Nottinghamshire Police’s officers and staff can apply for a grant from the fund, which could include new equipment, technology, or specialist training.

Each bid is evaluated by the POCA board, which determines how to use the fund to better support victims of crime, improve services in the community, and increase opportunities to seize criminal funds.

Chief Inspector Steven O’Neill, Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub lead for Prevention and Engagement, said: “This equipment has been procured to assist in further crime prevention activities in the community, which is vital to help people feel safe in their homes and reduce repeat victims of crime.

“It is fitting that assets recovered from criminals using powers under POCA can now be used to improve police crime prevention services across Nottinghamshire.

“This new equipment will benefit our communities as we reinvest in tools to help tackle offending.”