More than £1.3m confiscated from criminals across South Yorkshire in 2025
More than £1.3 million has been taken back from people who made money through crime across South Yorkshire last year.
The money was recovered through court orders made under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which allows the courts to confiscate cash and assets from people convicted of crimes.
Once seized, the money is paid back into the criminal justice system rather than staying in the hands of those who broke the law.
Cases included a Sheffield drugs trafficker ordered to repay nearly £300,000, and a Barnsley drug dealer made to repay more than £65,000.
The work is carried out by a specialist asset recovery team, who focus on how offenders funded their lifestyle.
That can include money held in bank accounts, but also property, cars and high-value items like designer clothing.
Laura Hough, who leads the asset recovery work, said the aim is to stop people profiting long-term from crime, particularly when it has had a knock-on effect on local neighbourhoods.
She said: “Asset recovery forms part of the wider work our Economic Crime Unit (ECU) completes to make sure that those involved in criminality pay back to the communities that they have negatively impacted.
"We will not allow convicted criminals to continue to benefit from ill-gotten gains while behind bars or after they are released."
“This process is helped by intelligence submitted by the public. We can’t do our work without the help of our communities. Your information can help us understand how much an individual has benefited from crime.
“Have you noticed someone in your community who doesn’t have a job or has no explanation as to why they have a second car or why they are suddenly wearing designer clothing? They may be gaining this money illegally.”
Information can be passed on directly by calling 101 or through the police’s online reporting system. For those who prefer to stay anonymous, reports can also be made to Crimestoppers.