North Yorkshire Police seize £1m in illegal cash

More than £1m in cash was recovered from criminals based in North Yorkshire in the past year, police have said.

In the year to 1 April, North Yorkshire Police's financial investigation unit retrieved £1.34m in illegal earnings under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The force said it had been "a very successful year" for the unit.

In November, it secured its largest confiscation order yet when York drug dealer David Black was ordered to repay £354,500 of illegally-obtained cash.

He was ordered to pay back the money within six months or risk an extra three-and-a-half years in prison, in addition to the 10 years he is already serving for dealing cocaine.

'Clear message'

Financial investigator Det Insp Ian Wills said: "It is vitally important that criminals do not benefit financially from their crimes.

"The figures achieved in the last financial year send out a clear message that North Yorkshire Police will vigorously pursue criminals assets and apply to the courts to confiscate them."

The money recovered from criminals via the courts is paid to the Home Office, which then redistributes some of the cash to agencies such as the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Criminal Justice Board.

In the past financial year, North Yorkshire Police awarded £24,000 to 14 recipients throughout the county.