The largest amount of cash seized from criminals in Kent during the past 10 years was at Dover, it has been revealed this week.

The figures were released by police to send a message to criminals hoping to fund lavish lifestyles through their ill-gotten gains that “crime really doesn’t pay”.

Kent Police has obtained court orders to remove more than £46 million from the county’s criminals since the Proceeds of Crime Act came into force in March 2003.

The legislation gives police forces the power to seize cash and recover assets such as cars and houses that have been funded through crime.

In the last 10 years Kent and Essex Serious Economic Crime Unit has seized houses, cars including Aston Martins and Bentleys, Rolex watches and a Harley-Davidson motorbike.

“We use the legislation to disrupt organised crime and to show both offenders and the public that crime does not pay,” said SECU Detective Inspector Mark Fairhurst.

“In the early years the act was specifically used to target organised crime in Kent. Now POCA is recognised as a valuable policing tactic for investigating all crime, from burglary to high scale money laundering.

“I believe it’s as important to take £1,000 from a disruptive individual in the community who is selling drugs or shoplifting as it is to take £100,000 from an organised criminal.”

The biggest cash forfeiture came in 2009 when police discovered £1.4 million concealed in a van as it passed through the Port of Dover.

The Belgian driver was convicted of money laundering charges and in 2010 Folkestone Magistrates Court made a forfeiture order for the cash seized.

One of the force’s most recent Forfeiture Orders, for £75,810, was granted by Channel Magistrates’ Court on April 25 2013.

The order was made against Cumbrian kebab shop owner Yucel Denli, his wife Fatma Isik, his uncle Hasan Denli and Hasan’s wife Elif Denli.

The two couples were stopped at the Eastern Docks in May 2012. A search of their BMW revealed several bundles of hidden cash.

After a three day hearing magistrates made an order to forfeit the entire amount seized.