Leicestershire Police stripped criminals of goods and cash worth £1.3 million last year

Police seized cash and luxury goods worth more than £1 million from Leicestershire's criminals last year.

The force's economic crime unit confiscated houses, diamonds, gold, designer clothing and a number of top of the range cars under the Proceeds of Crime Act in 2012, it reported today.(WEDS)

The money was linked to crimes such as drug dealing, money laundering, fraud and robbery.

Officers today highlighted some of the major successes, including the seizure of £93,000 in cash which they found hidden in a pizza delivery bag in the attic of a house in Leicester.

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Another £19,000 was taken from a Leicester man who was intercepted at Birmingham Airport.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Baker, who leads the force's serious and organised crime team, said: "Leicestershire Police will not tolerate people profiting from crime.

"The orders we have secured in the past 12 months are testament to officers' hard work and dedication.

"As a result we have ensured criminals have been deprived of over £1 million worth of ill-gotten gains."

Cash and assets seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act are paid back to victims of crime where they can be identified.

If no victim can be identified, the money is paid over to central government with a proportion coming back to the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service and Leicestershire Police.

Leicestershire Police sells some of the recovered items on eBay.

Information can be passed to police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.