We've recovered almost £4 million of ill-gotten gains after pursuing criminals for their 'dirty money' over the last year.
We've ensured that convicted crooks can't benefit from any illegal earnings by clawing back the money through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Our Economic Crime Unit and County Lines Taskforce have pursued more than 210 confiscation or forfeiture orders through the courts during 2025.
Their strong evidence has led to rulings for over £3.9 million to be handed over, meaning jailed criminals have not only lost their freedom but also any future financial benefit.
We regularly take this action under POCA as we know criminals involved in offences such as drug dealing and fraud can accrue significant sums of money from their illegal activities.
We have specialist investigators who look into how criminals may have benefitted, from having large amounts of cash or substantial investments in property.
Those who don’t pay back the money as ordered face extended prison sentences.
However, the debt never goes away and we can still look to recover what is owed in the future.
The money we recoup is reinvested into safety initiatives and community projects via the Government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.
Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: "This just shows how we relentlessly pursue criminals.
"We will put them behind bars for many years and then ensure they can't financially benefit from their crimes in future.
"We've recovered significant sums of illegally acquired money over the last year. We'll continue to do so and prove crime doesn't pay."
Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, who allocates proceeds of crime seized from criminal activity through his My Community Fund, said: “I’m pleased to see the huge impact of West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit and County Lines Taskforce throughout the past 12 months as they’ve recovered almost £4 million.
“I’d like to pass on my thanks to officers for their relentless work to ensure that crime does not pay.
“Through cash seized from criminal activity, I’ve managed to reinvest and allocate £330,000 to a whole host of different community groups via the My Community Fund initiative.
“From youth hubs and boxing clubs, to supporting the vulnerable, I know first-hand just how big a difference this money makes to people and groups across the West Midlands.”
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