Individuals in Cheshire have had to forfeit a total of almost £80,000 as they are ordered to pay back their ill-gotten gains.

A total of eight individuals were subject to Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearings at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (September 20th), following investigations by Cheshire Police's Financial Investigation Unit.

In conjunction with colleagues in the Force Court Presentation Team, the Financial Investigation Unit was successful in securing eight forfeiture orders totalling £78,964.13.

The money was determined to be recoverable property, in that it had come from, or had been intended for use in, unlawful conduct.

Detective Inspector Helen Rowland of the Economic Crime Unit said: "This is an excellent example of how crime does not pay and shows the great work of our officers in bringing this to court.

"These forfeitures remove a large amount of cash from the hands of those intent on committing crime in Cheshire.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act is just one of the ways we can disrupt criminality and I hope it sends a clear message to people that we are committed to working with our partners to ensure people are not able to profit from crime."