Policies and procedures

Find out about the policies and procedures that outline how we work

Proceeds of crime policy

About this policy

This policy explains how Trading Standards will approach financial investigations. It is primarily aimed at those staff who investigate criminal offences and those who have been accredited by the National Crime Agency as Financial Investigators.

We recognise that the investigation of offences that are to the detriment of Essex consumers and businesses, and the utilisation of the powers given within the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), can make a significant contribution to the disruption of criminal enterprises through the use of money laundering investigation to complement and aid criminal investigations and through the recovery of criminal assets.

We are therefore committed to maintaining a fraud and financial investigation unit, incorporating money laundering and confiscation capability to tackle offenders at all levels of criminal activity.

General principles

In considering the need for utilising the powers under POCA, we have taken account of:

  • its contribution to local crime and disorder strategies and other corporate priorities
  • the need to consider pre-conviction orders as part of the prosecution process in connection with money laundering investigations and the need to consider post-conviction orders as part of confiscation investigations
  • its role in tackling ‘lifestyle criminals’ such as those who commit fraud, counterfeiters, persistent rogue traders and those who have benefitted financially from their crimes
  • its potential to raise the profile of the service
  • the need to ensure that crime doesn’t pay and is seen not to pay
  • helping to meet the expectations of legitimate businesses and consumers

We will promote the use of financial investigations as an integral part of criminal investigations which may lead to confiscation. Confiscation is not just for serious criminals but applies in every case of acquisitive crime.

Acquisitive crime describes offences where the perpetrator derives material gain from the crime. This encompasses crime types such as:

  • fraud
  • car clocking
  • rogue trading
  • counterfeiting

When a person has benefited from their crime, the objective is to secure a criminal conviction and, if possible, remove the benefit of that crime. A confiscation order made under POCA is an effective way of achieving this.

Our investigators should be aware of the opportunities for money laundering and confiscation proceedings, which are normally undertaken by Financial Investigators and any actions they can take to support the process.

Investigators will refer suitable cases for financial investigation and are reminded that failure to follow this policy, in referring acquisitive crimes to the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU), may result in the true extent of the criminal activity being uncovered, the correct perpetrators being prosecuted and reduction of the amount of assets seized and thereby reduce the deterrent aspect which is required to assist in reducing crime. Compliance with this policy and any linked procedure is mandatory.

Statement of policy

Our Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) will financially investigate all cases where there are alleged offences or convictions for offences of an acquisitive crime, with a view to making an application to a court for a confiscation order to be made to the value of the benefits derived from the crimes.

Referrals to the FIU will be considered on merit by the FIU, but will be prioritised with reference to one or more of the following factors:

Propensity to commit offences

Propensity of the defendant(s) to commit offences nationally or throughout the eastern region.

Vulnerable or at risk victims

Where the victims are deemed to be particularly vulnerable or at risk from the defendant(s) criminality.

Dealing with the defendant

Where the criminal investigation would struggle to deal with the defendant, or their offending effectively, without the FIU’s parallel support.

Financial benefit

Where financial benefit from the defendant’s criminality is clearly significant and realisable assets have already been identified.

Special circumstances

For example, in appropriate cases where the benefit calculated is significant, but assets cannot be found, it may be prudent to pursue confiscation proceedings in order to obtain a ‘nominal order’ of say £1.

POCA allows cases to be revisited in the future, so where assets subsequently come to light, then the ‘available amount’ may be re-calculated in terms of satisfying the order using the recently discovered assets. The use of nominal orders may also deter defendants from re-offending.

Our Financial Investigators are committed to applying for forfeiture under POCA; after confiscation under POCA has been considered.

Implications of the policy

Financial implications

The full implementation of this policy involves a significant opportunity to have a proportion of the amounts confiscated under POCA returned to the authority under the incentive scheme, operated by the Home Office. Any funds received as a result of the ‘incentivisation’ scheme must be used for the further prevention or reduction in crime or further asset recovery.

Staffing and training

All Financial Investigators receive training from the Proceeds of Crime Centre of the National Crime Agency and must receive this training before being accredited. Financial Investigation training should form part of our routine training and development programme for designated management and investigation personnel.

Managers do not necessarily require the level of training and awareness provided by financial investigation-specific courses. However, it is essential that a senior manager is familiar with the procedures relating to financial investigation and is designated a Senior Appropriate Officer, by National Crime Agency or equivalent accreditation.

Existing partnership agreements

There are many law enforcement agencies that conduct financial investigations. We will actively work with these agencies to ensure it maximises the amount of money and assets seized under POCA legislation.

Some of these organisations are:

  • Essex Police
  • National Crime Agency (NCA)
  • Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • The Consumer and Markets Authority (CMA)
  • Other local authorities (Corporate Fraud)
  • The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • UK Border Agency
  • Post Office Investigation Unit

Risk assessments

This policy is compliant with the requirements of health and safety legislation and internal health and safety procedures. The risk assessment for Investigating Officers applies and will be reviewed annually.

An equality impact assessment has been carried out and shows the proposals in this policy would have no potential or actual differential impact on grounds of:

  • age
  • sex
  • disability
  • race
  • religion or belief
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • sexual orientation
  • gender reassignment
  • pregnancy and maternity

Consultation

Consultation has taken place with key stakeholders, including the Trading Standards Service Manager and the Manager for FIU.

It is in accordance with the following services policies:

  • health and safety
  • diversity and equality
  • data protection
  • IT

Monitoring and review

The Trading Standards Service Manager for the FIU will ensure that all referrals under POCA are fully investigated and where appropriate, confiscation or forfeiture of assets is applied for.

The Trading Standards Service Manager for the FIU will ensure that this policy is reviewed annually and will consider any changes to legislation, legal challenges to Essex Trading Standards and any discrepancies raised with regards to the policy.

Related policies and information sources

  • ACPO practice advice on the management and use of Proceeds of Crime legislation
  • ACPO practice advice on Financial Investigation
  • Proceeds of Crime Centre – National Crime Agency

Legal basis

The legal basis within which this policy is to operate can be found in:

  • Criminal Justice Act 1993
  • Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
  • Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001
  • The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
  • The Human Rights Act 1998
  • The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA)
  • The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)
  • Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA)
  • The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA)
  • The Freedom of Information Act 2000

Policy review date: April 2023