CRIMINALS have been forced to hand over £1.4 million over the last seven months in assets from their illegal earnings.

The cash was seized by Wessex Crown Prosecution Service, which covers Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Wiltshire, already tops the £1 million taken from criminals last year.

And the chief crown prosecutor has warned crooks they will be tracked down.

Nick Hawkins, chief crown prosecutor, said: “This is a great result as it means that victims of crime are more likely to be compensated for their losses. We know the lasting impact that a crime has on the victims’ lives even after a conviction. It will be completely unacceptable that criminals should keep any of the financial benefits they have accumulated during their criminal activities.

“This also sends a clear message to criminals – crime doesn’t pay and our team of expert lawyers will continue to work effortlessly with our police colleagues to identify, track down and confiscate benefits that you have gained from your crimes.”

Prosecutors can apply for a confiscation order from the courts at sentencing and those criminals who fail to pay can face another spell in prison or have their sentence increased.

Mr Hawkins added: “Last year we have seized assets just under £1 million for the same period and this increased figure demonstrates clearly how serious and determinate we are to ensure our victims are compensated for the crimes committed against them.

“We expect that by April 2012, the end of the financial year we will have recovered even more for our area.”