Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Councils get 'Al Capone' power to seize assets over minor offences
New powers enabling councils to confiscate assets off convicted criminals come into force next week, The Times reports.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2003, which has been extended to local authorities under a statutory instrument, gave police the powers to seize property and cash generated by criminal activities, like drug dealing.
Until now, councils have been able to access asset recovery powers only following police authorisation.
But as a result of the act's extension, councils will be able to use their own civilian investigators to seize assets, making them less reliant on traditional law enforcement agencies like the police.
Ministers have authorised the extension as part of a drive to increase the value of assets seized through the criminal justice system.
As well as councils, government agencies like the Financial Services Authority and Transport for London, will be granted the new powers.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, expressed concern about the new powers being given to local authorities who he said had not been vetted to the same standard as warranted officers.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2003, which has been extended to local authorities under a statutory instrument, gave police the powers to seize property and cash generated by criminal activities, like drug dealing.
Until now, councils have been able to access asset recovery powers only following police authorisation.
But as a result of the act's extension, councils will be able to use their own civilian investigators to seize assets, making them less reliant on traditional law enforcement agencies like the police.
Ministers have authorised the extension as part of a drive to increase the value of assets seized through the criminal justice system.
As well as councils, government agencies like the Financial Services Authority and Transport for London, will be granted the new powers.
Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation, expressed concern about the new powers being given to local authorities who he said had not been vetted to the same standard as warranted officers.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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I'm not happy whith the way in which law enforcement in general is being handed over to bodies which, unlike the police, may have a political agenda.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Hmmmm why in our monthly kin letter is there a picture of a police officer in the middle of a dope factory in Harringay but no mention made of the justifiable seizure of assets (the home)? The police would be the only ones with this power if they were actually using it.
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This is precisely why the seizure of assets should not be in the hands of the Local Authority. If it's the one on Effingham ( I haven't seen the kin letter, whatever that is ), apparently nobody was on the premises and no arrests were made. So what assets are the Council going to seize ? The house belonging to a possibly innocent landlord who had no idea of what was going on ?
Any such seizure should only be effected by court order based on evidence, not assumption, and any order for penalties should take account of the circumstances, not be treated by arbitrary decision like a parking ticket.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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The KIN Newsletter (Silly name because no one ever knows what it means, but good of Jono to upload it).
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Hear hear!
Physician, heal thyself.
Let the councillors who are without sin cast the first stone.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? [Who guards the Guardians?]
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