There’s a not to be missed golden opportunity to hit the criminals we all suspect are in our midst hard in the pocket.

It comes in the wake of the results of weeks of planning based on good intelligence which has taken the fight to criminals in our area. The proof lies in the confirmation that a total of £1.5 million in cash and assets has now been seized from criminals locally.

It is as police say a huge step forward in the local police division to be able to target criminals and follow the paper trail left behind as they launder their ill-gotten gains.

The second string of the initiative by the team, operating under the Proceeds of Crime Act, involves a regional campaign called “Why should they?” That is where members of the public come in As Det Chief Insp Mabs Hussain explains there are few things more galling than thinking a neighbour is living the high life through crime. He is appealing to people to contact the unit with any suspicions they have in the strictest confidence.

To those who claim there’s no point in telling the police because the police never act on information the message is clear — think again.

Det Chief Insp Hussain has given a cast iron guarantee that they will investigate; they will knock on doors and they will be taking action — even seizing money and assets held overseas. Chances to play a part in something as important as this don’t come along very often. Seize the opportunity, pick up the phone and hit the criminals in their wallets.