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

Domestic Violence Guide

Domestic violence is not just physical violence, it can take many forms, which a person may use to control a partner, if you are suffering domestic violence cal..

Stalking and Harassment.

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

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..

What is a Section 60 notice?

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

link

Double Jeopardy Law

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

Motoring Offences | Drink Driving.

Motoring Offences - Drink Driving.
If you have been stopped for drink driving it is important that you obtain legal advice as soon as possible and, to assist y..

Children and the law - Committing a crime

Children and the law - Committing a crime.
A child under 10 will not be charged with a criminal offence but they can face consequences for their actions.
The..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

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

link

Regulatory Investigations

Solicitors for Regulatory Investigations. ..

Cautions, warnings and penalty notices.

Police cautions and warnings are the same and can be issued to anyone over the age of ten for minor offences, whilst this does not count as a conviction it can..

Digital Crime ‘the new front line’.

The Law Commission has called for a full review of the law dealing with digital crime...

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