The ability for criminals to be able to profit from their crimes is a concern not only for law enforcement but for ordinary citizens as well.
Why Should They? is a Yorkshire community-wide project supporting the aims and objectives of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
The message is simple – there are those partaking in criminal activity within our neighborhoods and are living off the proceeds of their crime.
Why should they?
The purpose of the project is to bring awareness and a structure to the community response when they are witness to such activities.
By accomplishing this – Why Should They? – hopes to foster neighborhood insight into the purpose of the P.O.C.A, as well as, prompt discussion on the topic of criminals supporting themselves from the profits derived from their illegal activities.
Why Should They? also plans to be in the forefront of the pronouncement to relay pertinent intelligence data gathered on those engaging and profiting from crime to Crimestoppers.
Individuals will be encouraged to contact the Crimestoppers charity at 0800 555 111
This region-wide project seeks to embolden the area residents to communicate their suspicions of those that they suspect to be living off the proceeds of crime and report anything suspect to the area authorities non-emergency line or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111
It is stressed that no one will be asked to divulge their identities and they are not required to give any information they are not comfortable when reporting to the police.
This project requires the joining of efforts between the police, area residents, and private and community groups.
The project also will depend on community leaders who are willing to join and voice their support for the project.
The project branding will employ a common typeface (Arial), strong colours of black and green displaying concise and easily comprehensible content.
All avenues of media and marketing promotion will be used to get the projects message across.
The two primary points of the project will include:
- A general knowledge and strengthening of the Why Should They? message.
- A common aspect of the project will be to first install and then strengthen a comprehensive understanding of the Why Should They? principles among it’s partners.
The public knowledge and reinforcement aspect of the project will also promote – and be promoted by – the numerous singular P.O.C.A. initiatives that will be publicised through Why Should They?
Sending the message that no initiative will be too large or too small to give their time, resources, and energy to or deriving benefit from being associated with Why Should They?
This should also help the project to endure and provide a lasting value.
Why Should They? was launched in January 2009 by the West Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board and the West Yorkshire Police.
After a successful introduction and acclimation, it is thought that the other Yorkshire & Humberside police departments would then join the project.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), which also instituted the Assets Recovery Agency, was introduced to allow the seizure of possessions from people who profit from the rewards of their unlawful tendencies, thereby re-balancing the natural order of the marketplace and rewarding those who earn an honest living.
The Act also permits the local authorities to examine and move to: retrieve cash money, homes and other investments, which have been acquired through illegal behavior or which is meant to be applied in outlawed conduct, and to sort out money-laundering systems.
What’s unique about P.O.C.A.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 will provide authorities with impressive ways to deny criminals their illegal profits.
Seizure:
Seizure mandates should be conducted by the courts against individuals whom are guilty of acquisitive criminal offenses, up to the value of the criminal offense for which they are found guilty.
The criminal’s attainable valuables, no matter of whether they are legally secured, must be seized to accommodate the mandate.
Lawbreakers can be imprisoned for money laundering if it is believed that they are surviving off the illegal proceeds.
Possessions can be taken as evidence by applying powers within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (P.A.C.E.), however there are normally no powers to capture resources and property in confiscation proceedings.
Seizure Orders can be completed subsequent to being found guilty in the courts.
Quite often, through the process of such investigations tremendous amounts of money are held which should be forfeited.
P.O.C.A. analysis are carried out and proceedings are architected by authorities and financial investigators employed in the Economic Crime Unit.
Although, top quality intelligence from every single one of the officers will make the most of the opportunities and greatly contribute to P.O.C.A.’s accomplishments.
