The force has seized more than �500,000

A new unit set up to implement the Proceeds of Crime Act has exceeded its own expectations in seizing illegally-obtained cash for the Northumbria force.

It set itself a target of seizing �500,000 in its first full year of operation - but figure which has already been achieved.

Detective Inspector Phil Butler, who heads the Economic Crime Unit, said: "The Home Office set a national figure of �60m but we decided to set our own.

"We've reached this target after only eight months, proof of the unit's effectiveness and the excellent contribution from individual area commands and departments.

Fraud squad

"There must be a lot of criminals out there who are suddenly feeling the pinch. We're hitting them where it hurts, in their pockets."

The money has come from 11 arrests for offences including the supply of controlled drugs, deception and money laundering.

The Economic Crime Unit is a combination of the former Fraud Squad and the Financial Investigation Unit.

The idea is to hit criminals in their pockets, particularly the top echelon of offenders who use profits from crime to fund illicit empires.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act police and customs officers can search people suspected of carrying a large sum of cash (�10,000 minimum) derived from or intended for use in crime.

Officers can also search premises for cash if they already have a lawful reason for being there.

Police can also search premises if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that there is cash on the premises, which can be seized.