A NEW team of financial investigators at West Midlands Police have seized nearly £200,000 from criminals despite only launching last year.
The crack team is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and targets money illegally obtained by criminals.
The experts, including former banking financial investigators, focus on tracking down cash belonging to drug and organised criminal gangs.
A further £631,000 is under investigation.
The new strategy is hitting the crooks hard as police work closely with banks and the courts to freeze and confiscate ill-gotten gains.
All of the money recovered will be put back into projects designed to reduce drug taking and making our streets safer.
The PCC used money seized from criminals to set up the initiative in the first place.
West Midlands PCC David Jamieson, said: “I’m very pleased to hear that this new police team is already making good progress in recovering money taken illegally by criminals.
“The money which we recover and keep will all be used to fund drug treatment programmes in our region.
“It’s nice to know that those who have profited from selling drugs will now pay for the treatment of those who have been harmed by them.
“Drugs have a terrible impact on the lives of so many people and this scheme aims to take away the profits from drug kingpins and use their money to increase drug support services.
“This scheme will hit criminals where it hurts most, in the pocket.”
The team is currently comprised of three financial investigators hired from the banking sector, and an intelligence analyst.
If its success continues over the two year pilot it is expected to expand further.
Jenny Birch, head of the economic crime unit said: “I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved since their inception.
“They are working hard to target those causing harm and take away their illicit funds.
“Despite Covid related delays in Proceeds of Crime Act hearings, the team has achieved a huge amount during their first year.
“They have also significantly improved the ability of teams within West Midlands Police to tackle serious and organised crime by providing financial investigation support.”
