The National Crime Agency (NCA) received 901,255 suspicious activity reports (SARs) over the year, a 21% increase on the previous year, which stood at 742,317.

The figures were similar for defence against money laundering (DAML) requests, with a total of 83,300 received in 2021-22.

Around £305.7m was denied to criminals as a result of DAML requests, a 120% increase on the previous year’s £138.6m.

DAMLs can be requested when a person has suspicion that property, they intend to deal with is criminal in some way and that by dealing with it, they risk committing an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2022.