Top cops want to use cash seized to fight crime gangs

SCOTLAND'S top police officers would like to use cash from seizure of criminal assets in the fight against major gangs.

- By Richard Elias

The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) was responding after calls were made for Holyrood to adopt similar legislation to that already in existence in the rest of the UK.

Known as the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS), it sees profits taken from Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) given straight to law enforcement agencies.

The programme is active in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but not currently in Scotland where instead money is put into a central fund for distribution.

On Tuesday, Craig Naylor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, said allowing direct funding north of the Border would be a major boost in the battle against serious crime. It comes as Police Scotland is tackling a countrywide gang war which has been raging since March.