Asset Recovery: UK Police use eBay to sell seized assets
The Economic Crimes Unit at Leicestershire Constabulary proves there can be profit in crime.
The Leics Constab have seized property estimated to be worth more than GBP3 million in the past year and it is both taking up space and not generating any benefit.
Dharmendra Bhakta Acting Detective Inspector of the Leicestershire Constabulary Economic Crime Unit (ECU) said: The Proceeds of Crime Act empowers law enforcement agencies to seize property from alleged offenders. Those convicted and adjudged to have purchased goods with ‘Dirty Money’, are required to forfeit their ill gotten gains. Our intervention creates an opportunity for the public to bid to purchase high value goods at competitive prices, with profits going towards new crime fighting initiatives."
David Hargrave Proceeds of Crime Property Realisation Officer, says: “The public can buy with confidence. All items offered for sale on this site are legitimate pre-purchased goods – only the method of purchase was corrupt. No stolen or found property will knowingly be offered for sale on this site. The proceeds will go back into the public purse to benefit the community and fund future prosecutions.”
The site will be an experiment for six months. But the range currently offered is limited: two televisions, four games consoles, three items of jewellery, nine "consumer electronics" and four "other" which includes a home theatre system, an HP inkjet printer, a multimedia projector - and a flute.
Download PDF version of this page