MORE than £3m in criminal assets and money were seized from criminal properties across Bolton, Bury and Greater Manchester during July.

And police say half of this will be reinvested into policing and community projects across the region.

One raid by officers from Greater Manchester Police's economic crime unit (ECU) in Bury saw police seize nearly £40,000.

Cash was recovered at an empty property, along with a cash-counting machine and a quantity of cannabis.

Drugs conspiracies, money laundering and thefts lead to proceeds of crime hearings before the courts.

Half of the cash is retained by the Home Office - but the other half can be used by Greater Manchester Police for community projects such as community boxing clubs and crime prevention work in schools and colleges

Det Sgt Sarah Langley, who leads the force's asset detention and recovery unit (ADRU), said: "Our team of experts make use of all powers available under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which includes cash seizure, listed assets and account freezing orders."

"Stripping criminals of this cash and assets, including money that fuels organised crime, sends a clear message that crime doesn't pay, and we'll do everything we can within our powers to make sure of it."

Detectives say their proceeds of crime hearings take place on a weekly basis, involving sums of a few thousand pounds, to figures as high as £140,000.

Det Chief Insp Joe Harrop, of the economic crime unit, added: "These funds were set to benefit a small number of people with malicious intentions that are massively damaging to our society and region.

"A lot of the projects that this money is being reinvested in tackle the roots of organised crime, including providing alternatives to the young people that often end up in these circles.

"By stopping this flow of funding in its tracks and reinjecting it into positive community projects, good can come from illicit means and benefit our city and surrounding areas.

"To achieve this sum in the month of July alone is a huge success for our team. As it's an upward climb we intend to continue in tackling the proliferation of organised crime in Manchester."

continues to crack down on criminal ill-gotten gains, receiving valuable cash and assets from activities including drug conspiracies, money laundering and theft.

This latest sum is made up of the value of criminals' assets and money stripped by law-enforcement in Greater Manchester following 'proceeds of crime' investigations.

Money recovered includes the results of an elaborate organised crime scheme to defraud investors in London.

Criminals posed as an established, large and successful online retailer, renting an office space and several websites, defrauding £190,000 from willing financiers.

Officers stormed the officer to find it empty, and the websites to be fake.

The money was then frozen and forfeited under Proceeds of Crime legislation.

Det Sgt Sarah Langley, who leads the Asset Detention and Recovery Unit (ADRU) said: "Our team of experts make use of all powers available under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which includes cash seizure, listed assets and account freezing orders.

"Stripping criminals of this cash and assets, including money that fuels organised crime, sends a clear message that crime doesn't pay, and we'll do everything we can within freezing orders.

All forfeited funds are sent to the Home Office and half is returned to GMP to be reinvested into police and community projects to help continue fighting organised crime.

Proceeds of Crime hearings take place weekly, involving sums of thousands of pounds, to figures as high as £140,000.

Projects that have benefitted from the reinvestment include a youth boxing club in Oldham, and the 'GetAwat'N'GetSafe' program in Manchester which delivers early intervention for young people at school to educate them of the dangers and consequences of drugs, exploitation, gangs and anti-social behaviour.

Det Chief Insp Joe Harrop, of Greater Manchester Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: "These funds were set to benefit a small number of people with malicious intentions that are massively damaging to our society and region.

"A lot of the projects that this money is being reinvested in tackle the roots of organised crime, including providing alternatives to the young people that often end up in these circles.

"By stopping this flow of funding in its tracks and reinjecting it into positive community projects, good can come from illicit means and benefit our city and surround areas.

"To achieve this sum in the month July alone is a huge success to our team and it's an upward climb we intend to continue in tackling the proliferation of organised crime in Manchester."