We've pulled together answers to the questions we're asked most often. Whether you're new to Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) or looking for a specific detail, this is a good place to start and if you need more, our team is just a message away.
Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) has been established to strengthen how criminal assets are managed across the UK, ensuring that criminals cannot profit from their illegal activity. It provides national leadership, operational oversight and international collaboration to support policing.
The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) has been established to address long-standing issues in compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations, particularly the lack of central oversight and coordination in asset management.
The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) is funded through the Banking Levy.
No. The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) does not replace operational ownership within individual forces. Instead, it provides national leadership and strategic coordination, working alongside forces rather than in place of them.
Asset recovery is the process of identifying, seizing and recovering assets obtained through criminal activity, so that individuals cannot profit from crime.
Under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) there are four main asset recovery powers:
1. Confiscation
2. Civil Recovery
3. Cash Forfeiture
4. Taxation
The asset recovery lifecycle follows five stages, forming a continuous cycle: Identifying the asset, Tracing it, Freezing, Seizing and/or Confiscating it, Managing it, and Disposing of the Asset. This reflects the process shown in the Lifecycle of Asset Recovery graphic on this page.
Confiscation requires a criminal conviction, whereas civil recovery only requires it to be shown, on the balance of probabilities, that assets result from unlawful conduct.
The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) operates within a framework informed by the Warsaw Convention (CETS No. 198), relevant EU Directives (including Directive (EU) 2024/1260), and FATF Recommendations, supporting alignment between UK practice and international standards.
The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) is hosted by the City of London Police on behalf of the NPCC Economic Crime Portfolio. Strategic oversight and governance are provided through the City of London Police in its role as NPCC lead force for economic crime.
The leadership team includes Douglas Ing (NPCC Deputy Lead for Money Laundering and Asset Recovery), Martin Peters (Head of the AMO), Andrew Mahoney (Deputy Head of the AMO) and Steven Payne (Strategy and Engagement Manager). Full profiles are on the About AMO and Contact pages.
‘Seize and Sell’ is the newsletter of the Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO), sharing updates on its work, progress and developments across policing. You can access it here.
Yes. The AMO represents UK policing in global asset management initiatives, works with international partners to identify and recover assets held in the UK and overseas, and supports the implementation of UN, EU and FATF recommendations.
Contact details and a form are available on the Contact page.
If you suspect that assets may be linked to criminal activity, you should report your concerns through the appropriate channels, such as your local police force or Crimestoppers. The AMO is not a public reporting route for suspected criminal assets and does not accept reports directly from members of the public.
Once seized, assets are typically secured and managed in accordance with legal and evidential requirements. Depending on the asset type, this may include secure storage, valuation by specialists, insurance arrangements and regular monitoring to preserve value. Following the conclusion of legal proceedings and any relevant court orders, assets may be returned, sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the law. The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) supports the effective management and oversight of assets throughout this process to help ensure consistency, transparency and value across policing.
The Knowledge Hub is a secure collaboration platform for UK policing and its partners. Access is available not only to police officers and police staff, but also to approved users from government departments, emergency services, academic institutions, partner organisations and, in some circumstances, private-sector organisations where there is a legitimate business need. Access is subject to approval, sponsorship and any applicable vetting or security requirements.
Asset Recovery IT (ARIT) is a new national system being developed by the Police Digital Service (PDS) to replace the Joint Asset Recovery Database (JARD). It will provide a single platform for recording and managing asset recovery activity under POCA, including seizures, confiscation and disposal of assets. ARIT is expected to be introduced from 2027 and will be available to authorised users across policing and other approved organisations involved in asset recovery. All parties involved in the implementation and use of ARIT are encouraged to apply to Knowledge Hub.
Yes. The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) represents UK policing in global asset management initiatives, works with international partners to identify and recover assets held in the UK and overseas, and supports the implementation of UN, EU and FATF recommendations.
The Asset Management Office for Policing (AMO) works with international Asset Management Offices and other authorities in the UK and overseas to support the management, preservation, valuation and disposal of assets that are subject to criminal proceedings.
This may include sharing expertise, exchanging information where legally permitted, and coordinating asset management approaches in cross-border cases.
Requests relating to asset tracing, criminal investigations, restraint orders or confiscation proceedings are generally handled through the appropriate law enforcement, prosecutorial or mutual legal assistance channels rather than through the AMO directly.
Information provided will be used to manage and respond to your enquiry and will be processed in accordance with the NPCC Privacy Notice. More information about how your personal data is collected, used and protected can be found in the NPCC Privacy Notice (opens in new tab)