New figures released by the Scottish Government have stated more than £6million in cash and assets were seized from criminals in the past year.

The sum brings the total recovered to £27million since proceeds of crime legislation came into force six years ago.

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini said: "Our message is clear. Let these figures be a warning that those who seek to profit from crime will be caught and prosecuted and will lose the material or financial benefits gained through their crimes.

"By seizing their cash and their assets, we will stop them in their tracks to ensure their future livelihoods are restricted far beyond any sentence they may face."

The money was recovered by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Civil Recovery Unit.

Over the same period, prosecutors secured 78 confiscation orders worth about £3.5million against convicted drug dealers, money launderers and fraudsters.

Ms Angiolini said the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 played a significant role in disrupting serious and organised crime.

"Nobody should succeed in their endeavours to benefit from the harm and hardship they inflict on others, whether directly or indirectly," she said.

"Yet again, these latest figures demonstrate that both prosecutors and the Civil Recovery Unit are striving to ensure that they do not."