THAMES Valley Police seized more than a quarter of a million pounds of criminals' assets in just three months, Home Office figures have revealed.

Thames Valley Police secured £266,052 from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act - which is the third highest amount of all police forces in England and Wales.

The money will be put back into policing, prosecutors, customs and other public agencies.

The figures released for the first time by the Home Office show assets seized by police forces between July and September last year.

Across England and Wales, about £30m worth of criminals' assets was clawed back in courts using the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Metropolitan Police in London topped the table securing more than £1m in assets.