TOO MUCH BLING? GIVE US A RING!

DO you know someone who is living beyond their means? Could they be benefiting from the proceeds of crime? Don't stand for it says Hertfordshire Constabulary, if they've got too much bling, then give us a ring!

Hertfordshire Constabulary and Crimestoppers is today launching a new countywide campaign, under the catchy slogan of Too Much Bling? Give us a ring!' asking the public to anonymously report someone they think could be profiting through crime and as a result living a lavish lifestyle.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), the spotlight is firmly focussed on drug dealers, car thieves and burglars who break the law to bankroll their lifestyles. The police can strip criminals of any assets funded through ill gotten gains and bankrupt their criminal enterprises so they are no longer able to commit crime and acts as a deterrent from breaking the law in the first place. The value of seized property can then be reinvested into the police to help fight crime.

Detective Superintendent Mark Drew from the Serious and Organised Crime Group is leading the campaign, he said: “Our powers allow us to seriously disrupt criminals and stop them flaunting the profits of their crimes in your community. Your calls will help remove those negative role models from our society, who think it's acceptable to drive fancy cars, wear expensive jewellery and flash their cash, which have all been funded through illegal activity. We'll show them it's not. Tell us if there's someone you suspect of benefiting from crime and call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Mark continued: “I want this campaign to also send out a strong and clear message to criminals that crime doesn't pay, it actually costs. You could lose your cash, your car and even your home if it's been funded through crime. We will take robust action against you and will hit you where it hurts, in your wallets.”

Since the beginning of the financial year, April 2007, Hertfordshire Constabulary have been granted confiscation orders worth almost £1.1 million and seized over £300,000 in cash. In the past, property that has been seized has included homes, high value vehicles such as a Ferrari, a Porsche and expensive clothes and jewellery.

Hertfordshire Crimestoppers have also jointly funded the campaign and Chairman Peter Camilletti said: “Crimestoppers is delighted to be supporting this worthwhile campaign. It's important people get in touch with us with any information about someone they suspect is living their life funded through crime, so the police can act. I would like to reassure members of the public, any calls to Crimestoppers are anonymous, and their calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

The campaign is also supported by radio advertising and adverts in Tesco supermarkets across Hertfordshire. From today, shoppers in Tesco will be holding the ‘Too much bling? Give us a ring!' message in their hands with the advert on the handles of hundreds of shopping trolleys. Leaflets and posters have been distributed in local communities in the hope of getting the message to the heart of neighbourhoods.

December 2007