Figures compiled by the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers show councils recovered more than £13m in illegal profits made by criminals and rogue traders in the last year.

Some 126 confiscation orders were obtained by councils across the country, compensating victims of crime to the tune of £850,000 and allowing reclaimed cash and assets to be reinvested in community activities and facilities. 'With any crime there is always someone who suffers as a consequence, so the Proceeds of Crime Act is proving to be a valuable tool for councils to use in order to fight back. It is also acting as a deterrent to criminals,' said Cllr Mehboob Khan, chair of the Local Government Association's safer and stronger communities board.