A police probe found Lee Dunn, 30, of Alnwick Road, Farringdon, owned a top of the range £24,000 caravan, numerous pedigree dogs and a parrot even though he and his wife were claiming benefits.

The investigation was launched after officers caught Dunn with cash stashed in his car during a routine check outside his house on October 7.

After searching the vehicle, police found £1,308 stashed in the centre console.

Northumbria Police's financial investigators secured a forfeiture order against Lee Dunn, 30, and used the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to freeze the money that was found while they carried out their investigation.

On July 22, Dunn decided not to contest the civil proceedings brought by Northumbria Police about the cash seized from him.

Chris Beswick, financial investigator, said: "Results like this reinforce the message that we will continue to target those who finance their lifestyle by illegal activities.

"It's not right that law abiding members of the public work hard every day while their neighbours live the life of luxury on the back of crime."

Last month, police seized more than £30,000 from Keith Dodds, 62, of Silksworth, who was caught selling counterfeit clothes.

During a police investigation, officers found the cash along with several sets of car keys, associated DVLA paperwork and a diary written by Dodds in his Devon Drive home.

Police managed to secure a forfeiture order against him for £31,355.

Northumbria Police was commended by the home Office in March for best practice in asset recovery in the Tackling Drugs Supply Awards 2008.