Skip to Content

Profiting from crime.

Professionals who work for organised criminals will face five-year jail terms under a crackdown on those who profit from crime.

With over £1.5 Billion outstanding in unpaid confiscation orders the Home Office is set to clamp down on professionals profiting from crime.

In a new move the Home Office has unveiled plans to target professionals such as Lawyers and Accountants who profit from crime.

The new plans include measures to recover more of the money made through criminal activity, and possible custodial sentencing for professionals choosing to turn a blind eye.

Of the £1.5 billion outstanding, the reality is that many of it will never be recovered with £100's of millions being written off.

It has been shown that only 0.25% of money made through crime was recovered last year, and many criminals have chosen increased jail sentencing rather than give up the proceeds of their crime: the new measures should close many of the so called 'legal loopholes' that allow criminals to hide their assets overseas.

Reports also show that too much hesitancy is being shown to try to recover the profits made from crime: almost 700,000 convictions were made in 2012-13 from which only 7,000 confiscation orders were made, with statistics suggesting that those criminals that have profited the most are likely to
pay the least. The recovery rate for orders under £1000 is 90%, whilst it shows a recovery rate of 18% on orders over £1 million.

In a cruel twist it was shown that the government spends around £70 to recover every £100.

This is both absurd and unacceptable, not enough confiscation orders are being made, and if they are, not enough is being done to enforce them.

The headlines will be written about the clampdown on professionals trying to evade justice, but we suspect the devil, in these changes, are in its detail, with the reforms proposed to close loopholes and the ability to size criminal assets more quickly.

Will the new measures help? Maybe, but it is at least a step to improve a very ineffective system. The new offence, 'participation in an organised crime group' and the greater powers given to the Home Office will become Law as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Profiting from crime.
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

law on legal highs to be reviewed

The law banning legal highs in the UK is to undergo an urgent review...

Wilful Neglect.

Social workers could face up to five years in jail should they prove guilty of wilful neglect towards children, if consultation decides to extend the law to inc..

Injunctions.

How to apply for one, and what is an injunction? - If you are seeking an injunction we would recommend that you take immediate advice...

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Handling Stolen Goods

What is meant by 'handling stolen goods'...

Appointing a Solicitor

Guide to some of the factors people use when appointing a Solicitor...

Anti-Social Behaviour

Anti-Social Behaviour.
Anti-social behaviour is defined as activities that are unacceptable and reduce the quality of life for others, this could be by harassm..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year, what are they and do they work?..

Neighbour Disputes | Nuisance Neighbours

Unfortunately, not everyone is respectful in life, most of the time we just move on and keep our opinion to ourselves, but when that comes to where we live you..

Stalking and Harassment.

Recent report uncovers failings by the police and prosecution service...

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top