Police efforts to reclaim thousands of pounds fraudulently obtained by a Bradford couple should be welcomed.

Anthony and Alison Davey used mortgage frauds to finance a criminal lifestyle including big houses and flash cars. They were caught and admitted their crimes in 2009 and were dealt with by the courts; Anthony Davey was given three years in jail and Alison Davey a suspended sentence and community service order.

However, no financial penalty was initially imposed, and it was only the tenacity of detectives on the Bradford South Proceeds of Crime Team that allowed the courts to identify the Daveys’ assets and order them to be forfeited.

The case is part of an ongoing campaign to stop crooks benefitting from their ill-gotten gains.

For many, going to jail is an occupational hazard, and they will happily put in the time, confident in the knowledge they will have a little nest egg to fall back.

But, to quote the title of the police campaign, Why Should They?

If funds can be tracked back to the criminal, then they should be paying the price as well as doing the time.

These people have taken enough out of society.

It is good to see them being forced to give something back.