More than a million pounds has been seized from criminals in Bedfordshire over the last year.

In the last 12 months 83 police raids have been made, forcing criminals to hand over cash and assets worth £1.2 million.

The police receive 50 per cent of the cash seizures, and 16 per cent of any confiscated assets, with the remainder going to the Government.

This money is then reinvested to fund further operations by the force's economic crime unit.

Head of the unit, Det Insp Shane Roberts, said: "We are starting to become more and more aggressive in asset recovery.

"The money the police and the Home Office get from that is funding more crime-fighting initiatives – and not funding more crime on the streets."

"In the last year, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service and Court Service, we have tripled the assets we have recovered.

"We are expecting even better next year."

Detectives have started using the internet to help fund operations. Earlier this year officers sold a confiscated Mercedes on popular internet auction website eBay.

The economic crime unit is now appealing to members of the public to help them track down more money made from criminal activity.

Det Insp Roberts said: "We all know people who seem to be funding a lifestyle with no obvious income and have our suspicions about where the money is really coming from.

"Now people can actively help stop this by contacting us about their concerns and we are able to use a number of overt and covert tactics to find out exactly where that cash is coming from."

Anyone with information about people benefiting from the proceeds of crime can contact the economic crime unit on 01234 842293.