MORE than half a million pounds stripped from criminals is to be paid back to Lancashire police.

The £570,517 windfall comes courtesy of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as part of £13million being given to police nationally.

It follows the recovery of assets worth a record £84million across Britain.

Lancashire will receive the third largest sum, behind the Metropolitan Police and national crime squad.

Detective Superintendent Tim Jacques, head of the force intelligence unit and Proceeds of Crime Act champion for police, says: "This is a fantastic achievement for the force and great news for the people of Lancashire.

"The more money we seize from criminals, the more we stand to get back to be re-invested across the force. This money will allow us to double our capacity to hit criminals by employing more expert staff."

He also praises local people for helping police tackle crime and asks them to carry on giving information, anonymously if necessary.

"This is about the drug-dealer, thief or handler of stolen goods living in your street. Tell us who they are and we will do the rest," he says.

"It is not just about serious and organised criminals, it's about hitting street-level criminals and negative role models from communities."