POCA - A Local Authority View

Local Authorities & POCA What asset recovery offers Contributes to your Councils Strategic Priorities To protect the most vulnerable To support the local economy To help build strong and active communities for all (WBC) Strengthens Crime & Disorder Partnerships Effective investigation & enforcement tool Holistic approach to enforcement Positive media messaging opportunities

The Financial Investigation Service

Financial Investigation Services The aim of the Financial Investigation Team is to ensure that; financial investigation & financial intelligence, money laundering investigation capacity, assets restraining opportunities, post conviction confiscation and compensation, cash seizure, is available to Northwest regulatory services who do not have internal financial investigators, on a low cost basis.

Case Referral Process Completion of Case Referral Form by the referring agency Establish desired outcomes for the 10hs of free FI investigation time. Financial intelligence report prepared by the AFI for the referring LA. Discussion on the way forward using POCA. MOU signed, in depth financial investigation commenced.

The AFI’s Role Intelligence checks on targets Advice on investigation strategies Establish available assets value for POCA post conviction confiscation Provide valuable financial evidence for criminal prosecutions Advice on offences and support for prosecutors Preparation of all court papers for restraint, cash seizure & confiscation proceedings

Training Service Financial Intelligence & Financial Investigation Awareness Investigating & Prosecuting Money Laundering Offences POCA Confiscation – from complaint to asset recovery Cash Seizure Awareness In development – criminal investigation skills including interviewing, file prep, statements Training: offer low cost courses for local authority investigators, managers and prosecutors on;

Case Opportunities

Case Examples The Private Landlord Fraud The Counterfeiter Housing & Council Tax Benefit Fraudster No Planning Permission Illegal Waste Disposal

Asset Recovery works £3,845, in criminal benefit identified for confiscation in local authority cases £1,723, Confiscated to date £367, Compensation paid to Local Councils & victims £10,745 Cash Seizure – this service only commenced in December investigations Results

Improve criminal investigators knowledge of the Proceeds of Crime Act. Maximise your Council’s identification of asset recovery opportunities. Identify how your Council accesses the skills of a financial investigator. Crime Shouldn’t Pay – don’t let it! The Way Forward

Investigation Has the criminal law been broken? Has the defendant benefited from the crime? Has the investigator contacted an AFI ? Does the defendant have assets? POCA Case Identification

For more information….. On financial investigation services or training contact Warrington’s Financial Investigation Team via: Geraldine Marchment on Crime Shouldn’t Pay – don’t let it!