My Column

Give us Cops Not bounty hunters

  • Date: Monday 26th October 2009
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Anyone who reads this column regularly will know I'm a champion of entrepreneurialism.

Every week I heap praise on dynamism, creativity and those who are willing to take a risk and be a success.

But I shook my head in disbelief when I read that Leicestershire Police is making a killing on eBay selling goods seized under the 2002 Proceeds Of Crime Act.

The Act gives police the powers to seize more or less anything owned by a convict deemed to have a "criminal lifestyle".

Home Office figures show the value of assets recovered from criminals in 2008/2009 rose to an all-time high of £148million and the Government department has set a target of £250million for the current financial year.

Leicestershire cops are doing their best to help the department meet its targets by flogging 45 items in the last month.

Check their page myworld.ebay.co.uk/leicestershire_police , which even has the slogan "Too much Bling - Give us a Ring".

There's a Tag Heuer for sale at £399 and some white gold earrings at £250. Who cares if they're taken from a drug dealer's dresser?

They seem to be a reputed eBay seller and everyone loves a reliable service, but when officers have to hit targets on seizing property, their eBay shop becomes more important than their beat.

Officers are trained to make our communities a safer place and should not be burdened with ridiculous targets to seize and cash dirty goods on eBay.

We want motivated, visible neighbourhood cops tackling everyday crime, not squads of bounty hunters.

 

 

Up until now money recovered from criminals has been split between frontline services, such as the police and government departments involved with the criminal justice system.

I am glad to hear of last week's announcement by the Home Office that money confiscated from crooks will now be used to fund worthwhile community projects.

The £4million community cash-back scheme will give local people a direct say on how these assets are spent.

But communities should be getting a better deal - £4million of a £250million pot is little compensation to the public whose everyday concerns will drop down the pecking order in favour of their local force and their eBay targets.

 

 

Communities need a serious share of this money if the legacy of crime is to be reversed.

And we can only agree with selling second hand 'dirty money' goods if communities see real changes.

You can also follow Shaf on Twitter, go to twitter.com/ shafrasul

 

Related Content: AIRBNB - Make A fortune Without Owning Property

 

 

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