Too Much Bling? Give Us a Ring
May 12 2009
The public are being encouraged to help hit criminals where it hurts - in the pocket - with a new campaign being launched in Gloucestershire today (May 12).
The “Too Much Bling” campaign, being run in conjunction with Crimestoppers, urges people to report their suspicions of anyone they believe is living a lavish lifestyle on the profits of crime.
The Proceeds of Crime Act means that criminals can have their dishonest gains confiscated from them.
During 2008/9 Gloucestershire Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts confiscated nearly £1.8million from convicted criminals and removed a total of £1.4 million in ill gotten gains. The money gained is all fed back into the criminal justice system to finance further investigations.
Chief Constable Dr Timothy Brain said: “In the current time of financial uncertainty, those who live a lavish lifestyle with no discernable, legitimate income become even more apparent.
“By flaunting their ill gotten gains criminals signal contempt for everyone who works hard, and act as very poor role models for the younger members of society.
“There are certain members of the criminal fraternity for whom a prison sentence or some other form of court punishment is not a sufficient deterrent.
“Many criminals, including drug dealers and burglars, prize the trappings they have gained far more than their own liberty, and, having no need to get a legitimate job, are unconcerned by the impact a criminal record will have on their career prospects.
“Under the Proceeds of Crime Act we, and the Crown Prosecution Service, are determined to tackle those elements within our communities who blatantly benefit from the misery of others.
“We hope the public will support our efforts to do so by ringing Crimestoppers with their information and thank Crimestoppers for joining with us in this campaign.”
Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor, CPS Gloucestershire, said: “Together we have had incredible success over the last year in taking the profit out of crime and this campaign marks a call for all members of the public to assist in ensuring that crime really does not pay in Gloucestershire.
“With the evidence that comes from good intelligence, we are able to restrain all of an individual’s cash and bank accounts, their home, vehicles, electrical items and jewellery. Then following a successful prosecution we are able to take back the proceeds that they have accumulated from the last 6 years of crime.”
John Cripps, Crimestoppers board member, said: “We are very pleased to be able to assist with this campaign and can assure all callers to Crimestoppers that their anonymity will be guaranteed, if that is their wish.
“I hope members of the public in Gloucestershire will do all they can to assist the police and CPS in tackling those who profit from crime to the detriment of the law abiding members of our society.”