More than £41m seized through recovery orders

In the past five years, more than £41 million has been confiscated or recovered from criminal and civil recovery orders in Scotland.

Measures introduced in April widened what can be classed as cash when seizing assets – including betting slips, casino chips and gaming vouchers.

The former Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said it was a significant step towards ensuring criminals cannot profit from unlawful activities.

He added: “More than £6 million was recovered by the Crown Office and the Civil Recovery Unit in 2017- 18. However, expanding the definition of what can be treatedascashandwhat police officers can search for as they seek to disrupt criminal activity has the potential to further impact Scottish organised crime.

“I am determined that crime will not pay and that every ill-gotten asset can be put back into communities through the Cashback programme, whether it’s a gemstone, betting slip or casino chip.

“There must be no respite in tackling organised crime.”

Police can seize items of value such as jewellery, watches, stamps and precious stones where they are suspected of being involved in illegal activity.

Courts can confiscate assets following a conviction and can order someone to pay a fixed sum.

The Serious and Organised Crime Division (SOCD) and the Civil Recovery Unit (CRU) deal with the proceeds of crime collection.

In Grampian, £320,705 was collected under SOCD orders this year and £116,000 of cash forfeiture was collected via the CRU.

Sheriff courts in Aberdeen, Dingwall, Elgin, Inverness, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Tain and Wick have rung-up £1.1 million in forfeited cash in the last five years via the CRU.

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