CRIMINALS in Bolton have had £2.4 million seized from them over the past five years, according to new figures.

The cash, acquired by police under the Proceeds of Crime Act, was bolstered last year by the seizure of £680,000, with £300,000 having already been confiscated since April.

Bolton police's financial investigator Tony Wood is handling 40 separate investigations and is the man responsible for the recovery of about £1 million over the past 18 months.

Police get half of the cash they seize and one-sixth of property, with the rest going to the government.

Greater Manchester Police are today announcing a £50,000 investment to be made in Bolton as a result of money won back from criminals.

The Bolton division recovered £571,016 in 2009-10, £310,433 in 2010-11, £350,143 in 2011-12, £219,160 in 2012-13 and £681,041 last year.

About £300,000 has been recovered since April.

Mr Wood, who has been doing the job for nine years since retiring as an officer, said: “People who commit crime should not be able to profit when law-abiding people cannot.

“If people are concerned about members living in their community who are clearly living extraordinary lifestyles beyond their means we will investigate.

"I am proactive and will investigate people as well as helping the organised crime unit with people they bring in.

“If people cannot say where their money has gone, or where it has come from, then they have to pay the sum back. We can freeze bank accounts, seize cash and take people to court.”

Earlier this month, £150,000 was found in a car in McDonald's in Blackburn Road, which police suspect it is related to drug dealing.

They seized the cash and arrested the driver on suspicion of money laundering.

A criminal’s debt imposed by court never leaves them.

Even if they have only got £20,000 of assets to surrender for a £50,000 proceeds of crime bill, the remaining £30,000 debt will remain outstanding.

Two years later, if their circumstances change, they will return to court to have more assets taken off them.

High-profile cases in Bolton include drug dealer Imran Mohammed Afzal, then aged 31, of Perendale Rise, Bolton, who was ordered to repay £191,000 in March last year.

Money was taken from funds in bank accounts, two cars and a four-bedroom detached home.

And Bolton woman Rhona Haslam, then aged 51, was ordered to repay £56,982 — the full amount she stole from her nephew’s inheritance in 2009.

Police will visit three locations, including Victoria Square, from 10am to 11.30am today to speak with people about where the money may be invested.

They will also showcase a confiscated BMW X5 on a truck at the ASDA car park in Blackburn Road from noon to 1.30pm and in Farnworth Precinct at 2-3.30pm.

Det Ch Insp Rick Jackson said: “We are absolutely delighted at receiving this money.

"Taking these criminals off our streets and preventing them from enjoying a lavish lifestyle funded by crime is hugely rewarding but to then be able to put this money back into the community really is the icing on the cake.”