Latest news with #AssetRecoveryIncentivisationScheme
STV News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Police watchdog urges use of seized crime cash to fund fight against gangs
Scotland's police watchdog chief is calling for talks on allowing money seized from criminals to be reinvested directly into tackling organised crime in Scotland. The latest report from the HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland praised Police Scotland's response to recent increase in organised crime-related violence. But he warned that such efforts have come at a 'significant' financial cost. Mr Naylor said he would like discussions to begin about introducing an Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme in Scotland, which would allow Police Scotland and other approved bodies to keep a portion of proceeds seized from criminals to spend directly on fighting crime. Similar schemes are already in operation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Mr Naylor said: 'The early months of 2025 have seen a return of significant violence and disorder associated with serious organised crime groups. 'Police Scotland's operational activity has resulted in a significant number of arrests. 'However, the increasingly complex nature of such criminality reinforces the need to ensure policing continues to have the resources required to protect communities across Scotland from those who seek to cause the greatest harm. 'In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Proceeds of Crime Act reporting agencies can and do receive money from the proceeds recovered from crime under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). 'The Home Office encourages agencies to invest ARIS funds into areas that will increase asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities. 'This process is not applicable in Scotland. 'At a time of increasing demand, I would be encouraged to see conversations to consider if some funding could be released from seized assets to bolster the fight against organised crime – and maintain Scotland's position as a top performer in this area.' iStock Proceeds of crime funding should go towards frontline policing efforts Mr Naylor's annual report states that during 2023-24 more than £10m was recovered in Scotland using Proceeds of Crime legislation. This money goes back into the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities programme, which is funded by Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) seizure and provides free activities and programmes for young people. Elsewhere in the UK 'proceeds of crime' assets to the value of £243.3m were recovered from confiscation, forfeiture and civil recovery orders during 2023-24. From this, £98.1m of Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme money was distributed to Proceeds of Crime Act reporting agencies – including police forces, to fund local crime fighting priorities. In his 2024–2025 annual report, Mr Naylor said policing reform had clearly strengthened Scotland's ability to tackle organised crime compared to before the creation of a single national force. He said: 'These events are often contained within a limited geographical area, but on this occasion have stretched across the east and west regions of the country.' He added: 'These attacks also remind us of the transnational nature and risk posed by organised crime groups and the need for police and law enforcement agencies to work globally to target those involved in directing such activities.' Mr Naylor said that over the past 12 months, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) had carried out a number of detailed inspections, including a review of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), inspections of road policing, and the police response to missing persons. HMICS had also carried out joint inspections with other scrutiny partners, in areas including adult support and protection, children at risk of harm, and of police custody centres. Mr Naylor said work was underway on a joint review with HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland to look at the citation system in Scotland, and on a review with Audit Scotland to look at 'Best Value' arrangements across Scottish policing. He welcomed the recent passing of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 by the Scottish Parliament which strengthens officer vetting and disciplinary powers. However, he said further work was needed to address the financial impact of the new legislation. He said: 'Too little consideration has been given to the wider impact of the legislation – and how this could affect a number of organisations including Police Scotland, the SPA , the Police Investigations and Review Commission (PIRC), and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 'As part of our scrutiny plan for the next three years, we will inspect how Police Scotland – and others – engage in the proactive work required to assess the likely cost – and other demands that this new legislation will bring.' Mr Naylor said Police Scotland had been on a reform journey since its creation in 2013, and opportunities remained to redesign the organisation to meet future budgetary challenges. He added: 'Policing in Scotland is a complex and multifaceted activity. 'The reform journey cannot simply be a further reduction of capability and capacity within policing. 'The work that is underway to improve the organisation even further will be challenging and it will take time to deliver outcomes. 'This has to be done while continuing to deliver the high quality of service that the people of Scotland demand and deserve.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
'Growing threat' from gang war engulfing Glasgow and Edinburgh
On 31 May, two prominent figures in the Lyons crime group, Eddie Lyons Jr and Ross Monaghan, were shot dead at a bar in Spain while there have been numerous cases of serious assault, wilful fire raising and attempted murder. Police Scotland said the murders of Lyons and Monaghan may be linked to wider tensions between crime groups, and there is "nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland". There have so far been 55 arrests as part of what Police Scotland is calling Operation Portaledge, with the latest a 38-year-old man charged with wilful fire-raising and firearms offences. Each year HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) releases a report into the state, effectiveness and efficiency of the force. In its 2024-25 edition, which has been presented to Scottish Ministers, the gang feud is highlighted as a major challenge. The report states: "The early months of 2025 have seen return of significant violence and disorder associated with serious organised crime groups. "These events are often contained within a limited geographical area but on this occasion have stretched across the east and west regions of the country. "Whilst Police Scotland's operational activity has resulted in a significant number of arrests; these attacks remind us of the transnational nature and risk posed by organised crime groups and the need for police and law enforcement agencies to work globally to target those involved in directing such activities. "The reform of policing in Scotland has undoubtedly strengthened its ability to effectively tackle the threat from organised crime groups compared with legacy arrangements. Read More: "However, the increasingly complex nature of such criminality also reinforces the need to ensure policing continues to have the resources required to protect communities across Scotland from those who seek to cause the greatest harm. "The growing threat from organised crime groups (who seem not to care for the safety of the wider community) remains a significant concern. "Whether it is the supply of drugs, organised immigration crime or efforts to legitimise their unlawful business, the primary aims of those involved in these crimes is to gain money and influence over others." In response to the growing threat, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, is calling for assets seized from organised criminals to be used directly to fund the police force. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland; the police and other approved bodies can receive money raised from seized assets. In England, police force agencies generally receive 50% of the amount they recover, following the deduction of costs and money spent on national criminal finances capabilities. Proponents argue that the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) creates a virtuous cycle, where seizure of assets from organised crime gangs funds further tackling of crime. Opponents argue it can create the wrong incentives, with agencies focusing on high-value recoveries rather than those which are most in the public interest. There are also concerns about the potential for overreach, or for corruption. In Scotland the proceeds of organised crime are put into the Scottish Consolidated Fund, the main fund operated by the devolved government, and used for schemes like CashBack for Communities which takes a preventative approach by providing free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland – including those at risk of offending or reoffending. The approach taken in Scotland is similar in principle to that of Italy, France and Romania where the proceeds of organised crime go to community projects or to the state. Mr Naylor said: "Police Scotland's operational activity has resulted in a significant number of arrests. 'However, the increasingly complex nature of such criminality reinforces the need to ensure policing continues to have the resources required to protect communities across Scotland from those who seek to cause the greatest harm. 'In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Proceeds of Crime Act reporting agencies can and do receive money from the proceeds recovered from crime under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). 'The Home Office encourages agencies to invest ARIS funds into areas that will increase asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities. 'This process is not applicable in Scotland. 'At a time of increasing demand, I would be encouraged to see conversations to consider if some funding could be released from seized assets to bolster the fight against organised crime – and maintain Scotland's position as a top performer in this area.' Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: 'I welcome Mr Naylor's report and the many positives he highlights, including how reform of policing in Scotland into a single national force has strengthened its ability to tackle the threat from organised crime. I join him in praising Police Scotland's response to recent organised crime-related violence, which has resulted in a significant number of arrests. 'We are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing this year and disrupting organised crime remains a priority for the Scottish Government and partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. 'Money recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) is primarily used to fund community projects aimed at diverting young people away from crime through the CashBack for Communities Programme. Since 2008 over £156 million of ill-gotten gains recovered through POCA has been distributed through CashBack, supporting 1.4 million young people.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested after large amount of cash and luxury watch found in raid
A 52 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering after police found £15,000 and Rolex watch during a raid yesterday, May 15. Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Money Laundering team, part of GMP's Economic Crime Unit, carried out a warrant at a business premises on Bury New Road, Cheetham Hill as part of an operation to tackle money laundering in Greater Manchester. During a search, £15,000 in cash and a Rolex watch were seized. One man, 52, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and remains in custody ahead of being questioned. The arrest was a result of an intelligence-led investigation designed to disrupt and dismantle serious and organised criminal finances say police. (Image: GMP) Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts. Detective Inspector Sarah Langley from GMP's Economic Crime Unit, said: 'The Money Laundering Team conducted the warrant today which was a culmination of complex proactive policing to tackle criminal finances. "The result today will significantly disrupt this kind of activity that lines the pockets of organised crime groups. "This is money and assets that we think have been obtained through criminal means and we are determined to ensure that anyone found to be responsible for this offence will be brought to justice and have anything of value in their name seized. 'We utilise all powers available to us to seize assets from those who we suspect are involved in organised crime. We hope the activity today sends a message to anyone engaged in this activity to expect a robust and relentless response from us. READ NEXT: Crews back in town for second day of filming major TV drama READ NEXT: Office block vandalised with red paint in 'Anti-Semitic' attack 'Last year through activity that occurred across the force, a total of £17,715,283.24 was seized and recovered from criminals and through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), a proportion of the money that is seized from criminals as a result of policing activity is given back to the community. 'Already this tax year since 1 April 2025, the teams in the unit have already forfeited over £1 million of cash and the work continues to strip those who are blighting our communities of their assets that are used to further criminality.' (Image: GMP) Anyone with information about suspicious financial activity can report it to police online through the online crime reporting for or by calling 101. You can also report via the GMP Live Chat service on their website. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
