CRIMINALS will be targeted in a new operation to confiscate items that have been gained through illegal activities.

Operation Payback was officially launched last week by police forces in West Mercia, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands, working with British Transport Police, The Regional Task Force and her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick Tofiluk, regional lead for Operation Payback, said the project aimed to take the profit out of crime by turning the tables on criminals.

He said: "As well as facing the criminal justice system and being punished by the courts, criminals will know their finances and assets are going to be very closely scrutinised.

"Wherever we believe that cash or property - including cars, houses, jewellery and electrical equipment - is a benefit of illegal activity, we have the power to restrain, investigate and potentially confiscate."

Police were given the powers to carry out seizures by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 which came into effect last year.

A proportion of money seized will be ploughed back into tackling crime.