THE public is being encouraged to help hit criminals where it hurts – in the pocket.

Too Much Bling, Give us a Ring was launched last week and is being run by the police in conjunction with Crimestoppers.

The campaign urges people to report their suspicions of anyone they believe is living a lavish lifestyle on the profits of crime.

Last year Gloucestershire Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts confiscated nearly £1.8million from convicted criminals and removed a total of £1.4 million in ill-gotten gains.

The money recovered is all fed back into the criminal justice system to finance further investigations.

Chief constable Dr Timothy Brain said: “In the current time of financial uncertainty, those who live a lavish lifestyle with no discernable, legitimate income become even more apparent.

“Under the Proceeds of Crime Act we, and the Crown Prosecution Service, are determined to tackle those elements within our communities who blatantly benefit from the misery of others."

Call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you think anyone is living off the proceeds of crime.