Section 74(2)

121 The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is amended as follows.

122 In the heading for Part 1 for "Assets Recovery Agency" substitute "Introductory".

123 Omit sections 1 and 2 (the Assets Recovery Agency, its Director and the Director's general functions).

124 After section 2 insert -

"2A Contribution to the reduction of crime

(1) 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.

(2) In this section "a relevant authority" means -

(a) SOCA,

(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions,

(c) the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland,

(d) the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions, or

(e) the Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

(3) 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 -