The Lord Advocate, Lord Boyd of Duncansby QC, today announced record levels of cash taken from those who seek to profit from criminal activity.

Speaking during a visit to the Glasgow Procurator Fiscal Office Lord Boyd revealed that more than £1/2 million has been recovered so far this year, already exceeding figures for the whole of 2005/06.

The Civil Recovery Unit, which was formed as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, can recover money from those suspected to have profited from crime or money which was intended for use in crime. Figures show that in the first five months of this financial year the unit has recovered more than £615,000 in cash. That's more than the whole of the previous year (£604,194).

Lord Boyd, said:

"The successful introduction of the Proceeds of Crime legislation has provided a range of measures through which we have been able to disrupt the behaviour of those who would engage in and seek to profit from illegal activities."

"The figures in the first 5 months of this financial year are impressive. It is clear that there is no hiding place for those who seek to profit from the misery of others. Police officers are using the full extent of their cash seizures powers, and by working together we will continue to disrupt criminal activity at every level."

"We are also showing people in our communities that while a life of crime may have short term attractions, criminals will not benefit in the longer term."

The Civil Recovery Unit is already on course to recover in excess of £1m by the end of this financial year - a target boosted by the recent lowering of the cash seizure threshold from £5000 to £1000. In the months since the amount was lowered the unit has taken on as many new cases in one month as would previously have been reported over four months.

Cash recoveries continue to disrupt the activities of drug dealers in Scottish communities and the new threshold means that even the street corner drug dealers are at risk of losing their profits. The latest recoveries also include money taken from those who would seek to profit from human trafficking and prostitution.

The announcement came as the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General, Elish Angiolini QC, visited the temporary Glasgow Fiscal's offices in Nile Street, where prosecution staff have been based during extensive refurbishment works in Ballater Street. Both Law Officers spent time with staff to listen to their views on current local issues.