Did you know… criminals in Cumbria have been ordered to repay £13.5million to their victims?

Since 2003 when the Proceeds of Crime Act was introduced, criminals in Cumbria have been ordered to repay their victims an astounding £13,500,000.

This information has come to light during the fourth week of Cumbria Constabulary’s Did you know… campaign which is focusing on the unseen departments that prove that committing crime in Cumbria does not pay.

The campaign was launched at the beginning of the month to provide an insight into the work that goes on in different departments behind the scenes in Cumbria Constabulary to support frontline policing and keep people safe.

This week is the fourth week of the campaign and provides an insight into the departments that deal with those who are put in police cells, prepare to take criminals to court and scrutinise criminals’ finances to get compensation for their victims.

Did you know…

·         Between January 2011 and January 2012, specially trained detectives confiscated almost £1million from convicted criminals to return to their victims and communities affected by crime?

·         500 criminals in Cumbria have had their assets seized since POCA was introduced in 2003?

·         There are ongoing investigations that aim to seize a further £2million of criminals’ assets?

·         One Cumbrian criminal failed to pay a confiscation order & received a maximum sentence - ten years in prison added to his original sentence. His debt will stay with him for life and will accrue interest.

·         92,078 people were arrested and brought into police custody in Cumbria over the last 5 years?

·         That medical staff are available in police custody suites in Cumbria 24/7?

·         That every person brought into police custody is scanned and has their fingerprints taken?

·         Each burglary costs the public almost £5000 and every homicide costs around £1,775,000?**

·         That criminals who come face to face with their victims through a Restorative Justice Conference are more likely to change their behaviour and are less likely to reoffend?

Chief Inspector Terry Bathgate is Cumbria Constabulary’s lead for the police custody and Criminal Justice Units. He said “This week’s focus just shows that committing crime does not pay in Cumbria.

“Most criminals are driven to commit crime for money under the illusion that they will get away with it. They are wrong.

“This week we are providing an insight into what it feels like to be held in police cells.

Fortunately, the majority of our communities will not know how lonely and daunting the experience is and won’t realise the efforts that police go to to take criminals to court and get justice for their victims.

 “Risking your lifestyle, family and friends to make money through crime simply isn’t worth it. You may live lavishly for a while but you will be caught and after spending time in police cells, being taken before the courts and sent to prison, you will pay for your actions.

“Spending time behind bars doesn’t mark the end of your punishment either. We have specialist detectives who are trained to painstakingly investigate criminals’ finances to strip them of the assets they’ve gained through crime.

“Convicted criminals are then brought out of prison and taken to court again where another case will be brought against them under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Here, detectives will prove how much money criminals have made from crime and they can lose their homes, businesses and lavish lifestyles very quickly.

“Financial Investigation is a very important job but one that goes on behind the scenes which, unless you come to need, most people would know nothing about.”

Did you know…? continues to focus on the public facing side of the Constabulary next week when it will highlight the work that goes on the Communications Centre where call handlers pick up phonecalls from the public.Posters raising awareness of the work of the Constabulary will be distributed across police stations and in key places amongst communities such as libraries, doctors’ surgeries and leisure centres throughout the campaign.

The campaign will be extended onto the Constabulary’s social networking accounts with dedicated ‘tweetdays’ and webchats.

·         85% of victims who meet the perpetrators of their crimes through Restorative Justice are satisfied with the outcome?