Gloucestershire Constabulary has launched a campaign urging people to report anyone they believe is living a lavish lifestyle on the profits of crime.
People seen wearing excessive amounts of jewellery, driving expensive cars, or buying luxury items, are being targeted.
The "Too Much Bling" campaign encourages members of the public to talk to officers if they suspect that someone does not have a legitimate income to explain their trappings of wealth.
The force's Chief Constable, Dr Timothy Brain, said that ostentatious criminals would be easier to spot during the recession.
Dr Brain said: "By flaunting their ill-gotten gains criminals signal contempt for everyone who works hard, and act as very poor role models for the younger members of society.
"In the current time of financial uncertainty, those who live a lavish lifestyle with no discernible, legitimate income become even more apparent."
He added: "There are certain members of the criminal fraternity for whom a prison sentence or some other form of court punishment is not a sufficient deterrent.
"Many criminals, including drug dealers and burglars, prize the trappings they have gained far more than their own liberty, and, having no need to get a legitimate job, are unconcerned by the impact a criminal record will have on their career prospects."
The Crown Prosecution Service said that by giving evidence, members of the public could help the justice system seize the proceeds of crime from convicted criminals.
Adrian Foster, from Gloucestershire Crown Prosecution Service, said: "With the evidence that comes from good intelligence, we are able to restrain all of an individual's cash and bank accounts, their home, vehicles, electrical items and jewellery.
"Then following a successful prosecution we are able to take back the proceeds that they have accumulated from the last six years of crime."
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