A major operation, Payback 2, launched was launched on Monday in Gateshead.

The force-wide campaign is aimed at seizing criminals' assets, from low-level offenders to big-time crooks making huge profits out of organised crime.

It has already led to the recovery of items including four vehicles, a Range Rover and a Mercedes among them, and a computer.

A haul of electrical equipment was among the items seized in a police raid in South Tyneside yesterday.

Two television sets and hi-fi equipment were recovered in the early-morning raid on a house in Froude Avenue, Biddick Hall, South Shields.

More than £1,000 was also seized, as revealed in yesterday's Gazette, following a search of the terraced property by police and a sniffer dog.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money-laundering, and is now helping police with their inquiries.

The initiative follows on from the success of last year's Operation Payback, which saw £1.5m of criminal assets seized.

Under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act, police can seize any cash or goods believed to be criminal property or being used to commit crime.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Mike Craik said: "Carrying out these operations shows we are committed to tackling criminals living a life of luxury from crime while their neighbours continue to work hard to earn a living.

"This is a further step to putting a stop to the people who think they can get away with living off the back of crime.

"By arresting them and seizing their assets, we're proving crime doesn't pay. It really is payback time for criminals."