Crime Solicitors

Theresa May has told the Serious and Organised Crime Exchange 2016 that, at the time she took over the role of Home Secretary in 2010, not enough had been done to build capabilities, intelligence and networks to tackle serious organised crime.

Mrs May said that, six years’ later, there could be “no doubt” as to the threats faced today – or the scale of the challenge to tackle serious organised crime.

The Home Secretary said that telephone and internet scams which robbed elderly people of their life savings and the organised exploitation of young women and children in towns and cities were just some of the threats that needed to be tackled – as well as the illegal movement of firearms, which risked the kind of attacks seen in Paris.

The Home Secretary also said that organised gangs that operate an “appalling trade in human misery” across the Mediterranean and across Europe were another challenge – as well as the trade in illegal drugs and new psychoactive substances which harmed communities and caused “untold suffering”.

She added that groups involved in laundering “the often enormous proceeds of all of these crimes” were also part of the challenges in tackling organised serious crime.

“As of July last year, there were around 5,800 organised crime groups operating in the United Kingdom – with organised crime costing us at least £24 billion a year,” said the Home Secretary.

“Fraud due to organised crime is thought to cost around £9 billion – and the social and economic costs of illegal drug supply are estimated to be £10.7 billion a year in England and Wales, with over half of that attributed to drug related acquisitive crime,” she added.

“It is a threat we must treat with the utmost seriousness,” she said.

“The NCA is now properly up and on its feet – and is starting to deliver excellent results.

“In 2014 and 2015, the NCA led and co-ordinated operational activity that resulted in 900 disruptions against some of the most serious and organised criminals and groups in the UK, the arrest of nearly 3,400 people in the UK and overseas, and the safeguarding or protection of over 1,700 children.”

The Home Secretary said that supporting the development of a network of Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCU) had been an important part of tackling serious organised crime.

“Better partnership must be supported by a strong and comprehensive legislative framework, ensuring that you have the necessary and proportionate powers you need to tackle serious and organised crime in its modern form,” said Mrs May.

“The Investigatory Powers Bill currently going through Parliament is an important part of this.

“The Bill – which sets new standards for openness and transparency – will ensure that the powers our law enforcement and security agencies need are contained in a single and comprehensive piece of legislation.

“It will help to protect the UK from serious criminals and terrorists, adept at using fast-evolving technologies,” she added.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving serious organised crime, including serious fraud, white collar crime, drugs offences, firearms offences, human trafficking and cyber crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews with prosecuting authorities such as SFO, FCA, BIS, Insolvency Service, HMRC, Border Force and City of London Police.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to serious organised crime, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.