Menu
27/05/2004
Agency successes sees £14m stripped from criminals
With over £14 million of assets frozen and 62 cases under investigation, the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has exceeded targets in its first full year of operation, according to its annual report.
As at 31 March 2004 the ARA had made freezing orders, interim receiving orders and tax assessments totalling £14.8 million against a target of £10 million. The agency exceeded by 24% its 2003-04 targets of the number of cases under investigation, with 62 cases against a target of 50.
The Agency said it had also been "very successful" in its key role of building capacity for financial investigation across law enforcement with over 400 Financial Investigators trained to use the powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as a major crime-fighting tool.
Agency director Jane Earl said: "We have made enormous strides over the past year to create a new organisation, capable of responding to the challenges of contributing to crime reduction through asset recovery."
She added: "Every £1 confiscated by the police, Customs or ARA is £1 that cannot be recycled by criminals to finance their enterprises. Significant sums have been taken out of the criminal economy in this way - every edition of the Proceeds of Crime update reports on a number of successful cases."
In Northern Ireland the Agency has worked closely with Customs, the PSNI and the Criminal Assets Bureau to "choke off" funds to organised crime groups many of whom have paramilitary links, Ms Earl added.
Over the next year the agency plans to litigate 25 new cases for civil recovery or taxation in addition to the 62 that are still underway from 2003-04 and aims to step up activity surrounding criminal confiscation cases.
(gmcg)
As at 31 March 2004 the ARA had made freezing orders, interim receiving orders and tax assessments totalling £14.8 million against a target of £10 million. The agency exceeded by 24% its 2003-04 targets of the number of cases under investigation, with 62 cases against a target of 50.
The Agency said it had also been "very successful" in its key role of building capacity for financial investigation across law enforcement with over 400 Financial Investigators trained to use the powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as a major crime-fighting tool.
Agency director Jane Earl said: "We have made enormous strides over the past year to create a new organisation, capable of responding to the challenges of contributing to crime reduction through asset recovery."
She added: "Every £1 confiscated by the police, Customs or ARA is £1 that cannot be recycled by criminals to finance their enterprises. Significant sums have been taken out of the criminal economy in this way - every edition of the Proceeds of Crime update reports on a number of successful cases."
In Northern Ireland the Agency has worked closely with Customs, the PSNI and the Criminal Assets Bureau to "choke off" funds to organised crime groups many of whom have paramilitary links, Ms Earl added.
Over the next year the agency plans to litigate 25 new cases for civil recovery or taxation in addition to the 62 that are still underway from 2003-04 and aims to step up activity surrounding criminal confiscation cases.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 May 2004
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
Environment Agency warns of low eel and salmon stocks
The Environment Agency has announced that anglers can find fish in more rivers than at any time in the past century. However, the Our Nations’ Fisheries report conducted by the agency, also warned that stocks of certain fish species are at dangerously low levels.
18 December 2003
Cot death expert to face professional conduct inquiry
The expert witness at the centre of a number of high-profile cases brought against women charged with killing their infants is to face a professional conduct inquiry.
Cot death expert to face professional conduct inquiry
The expert witness at the centre of a number of high-profile cases brought against women charged with killing their infants is to face a professional conduct inquiry.
15 September 2003
Multi-agency approach to dangerous criminals hailed
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) have made a "significant difference" to the way police and probation officers protect the public from the risks posed by dangerous offenders in the community, the Home Office has claimed today.
Multi-agency approach to dangerous criminals hailed
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) have made a "significant difference" to the way police and probation officers protect the public from the risks posed by dangerous offenders in the community, the Home Office has claimed today.
14 October 2015
NCA Warn UK Internet Users Of 'Significant' New Malware Threat
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has urged UK internet users to protect themselves against a "significant strain of malicious software" that has enabled criminals to steal millions of pounds from UK bank accounts.
NCA Warn UK Internet Users Of 'Significant' New Malware Threat
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has urged UK internet users to protect themselves against a "significant strain of malicious software" that has enabled criminals to steal millions of pounds from UK bank accounts.
30 September 2015
British Fugitive Captured In Germany
A British man has been arrested in Germany wanted on suspicion of indecent assault and making indecent images of children. 52-year-old Carlo Dawson, from Croydon, is the third fugitive to be captured after appearing in the National Crime Agency's Operation Captura campaign.
British Fugitive Captured In Germany
A British man has been arrested in Germany wanted on suspicion of indecent assault and making indecent images of children. 52-year-old Carlo Dawson, from Croydon, is the third fugitive to be captured after appearing in the National Crime Agency's Operation Captura campaign.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
