CRIMINALS are becoming too scared to break the law because they fear police will hit them where it hurts — in the pocket.

They are said to be turning their backs on wrongdoing following three high-profile cases in Neath and Port Talbot that saw almost £250,000 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The division's financial investigator Detective Constable Phil Davies said the feedback he was getting was that offenders were now thinking twice about committing crime.

"I was speaking to a number of solicitors and legal representatives in Port Talbot Magistrates Court. One mentioned to me that a number of his more regular clients had told him that they had decided to stop committing crime because of the proceeds of crime system.

"Criminals are worried that if they are caught then not only are they going to be dealt with in the court, they are also likely to lose their home and assets."