£10m confiscated from criminals

The law targets money made from criminal activities like drug dealing

Criminals have been ordered to pay back more than £10m since the Proceeds of Crime Act was introduced in 2002, it has been announced.

The money recovered from drug dealers, money launderers and fraudsters is being used to fund community projects in areas hardest hit by violent crime.

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said the number of criminal confiscation orders has increased year on year.

The act was brought in to target criminals' income.

Ms Angiolini said: "This is further proof that crime does not pay and that we will use the full extent of the law to track down and recover the proceeds of crime.

"The message is clear, should you seek to profit from crime then not only may you be sent to prison for a significant amount of time but the proceeds from your criminal activity may also be confiscated, whether this be cash, property or vehicles."