Petty crooks 'should have assets seized'

Muggers and burglars should have their cash and belongings seized, a police watchdog urged today.

A report from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary warned confiscation laws brought in two years ago under the Proceeds from Crime Act were not just aimed at major drug traffickers.

As a result, prolific local criminals were being let off the hook, leaving the public with the belief that perhaps crime really does pay.

HMIC chief inspector Kate Flannery said: "The Act is not just a tool to target the mansion, yacht or Ferrari of the crime baron.

"There is considerable untapped potential to disrupt and deter the prolific burglar and street-corner drug dealer as well."

The report made 11 recommendations to police and prosecutors. It called for potential confiscation cases to be identified at an earlier stage and pursued rigorously through the courts.