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Section 2A: Contribution to the reduction of crime

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 · 2002 c. 29View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 1: Introductory

A relevant authority must exercise its functions under this Act in the way which it considers is best calculated to contribute to the reduction of crime.

In this section "a relevant authority" means—

the National Crime Agency,
the Director of Public Prosecutions,
the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

In considering under subsection (1) the way which is best calculated to contribute to the reduction of crime a relevant authority must have regard to any guidance given to it by—

in the case of the National Crime Agency, the Secretary of State,
in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions ... or the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Attorney General, ...
in the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, the Advocate General for Northern Ireland , and
in the case of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs or the Financial Conduct Authority, the Treasury.

The guidance must indicate that the reduction of crime is in general best secured by means of criminal investigations and criminal proceedings.

The reference in this section to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland is to be read, before the coming into force of section 27(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), as a reference to the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. These source and reuse terms cover the legislation text, not Remedy's commentary.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.