Corporate report

Unexplained wealth orders annual report: data annex

Published 25 February 2026

This report provides statistical information on the unexplained wealth orders annual report including an overview of the legislative background, data collated and the methodology and processes that are used to produce the statistics published in the report.

1. Background

An unexplained wealth order (UWO) is an investigative tool introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017, which inserted sections 362A to 362T into the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). UWOs may be granted by the High Court in respect of property valued at more than £50,000. The Court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that either the respondent – an individual or legal entity – has insufficient lawful income to acquire the property or that the property was obtained through unlawful conduct. In addition, the Court must be satisfied that the respondent is either a politically exposed person, or is themselves involved in serious crime, or is connected to someone who is.

The order compels the respondent to explain the nature and origin of their interest in the property and provide any other information required by the order. A failure to comply without a reasonable excuse triggers a rebuttable statutory presumption that the property is recoverable property under POCA. The enforcement authority may then seek to use this presumption in the course of proceedings for a civil recovery order under Part 5 of POCA.

2. Data coverage

Overview and time period

The report provides data on the value and volumes of UWOs obtained across the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) who have the relevant powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 legislation.

It provides data covering the period from 15 May 2024 to 14 May 2025, which covers the period of 12 months following the last UWO report. Data presented in this report covers England and Wales. This report does not cover Scotland.

Aggregated data is submitted by LEAs and therefore it is not possible to provide additional breakdowns by case, offence type or location of jurisdiction.

Data presented in this report is separate to the published statistics in the Annual Statistical bulletin for Asset Recovery. These statistics provide a snapshot of the value and volume of UWOs obtained since their introduction.

3. Data source and limitations

Data presented in this report has been requested from LEAs in a reporting exercise conducted by the Home Office. The reporting exercise queried agencies on the aggregated number of UWOs applied for and granted during the reporting period.

This exercise is run on an annual basis and involves all LEAs which have the power to obtain a UWO.

It should be noted the accuracy of the statistics is dependent on the recording and management of information held by the respective agencies.

Data on UWOs obtained prior to the reporting period are not included in this report.

4. Methodology

Data extraction

The statistics presented in the report are based on a reporting exercise managed by the Home Office. Data in the report has been collected from LEAs throughout August-September 2025.

Value and volume of proceeds of crime

Statistics presented on the value of proceeds of crime to be recovered from UWOs is based on the estimated order value. This represents the predicted amount of monies to be recovered from the defendant once a civil recovery order is obtained. It is based on the amount of monies which the defendant is deemed to have gained from criminal activity.

The volume of UWOs is based on the number of orders processed under this respective investigative power.