14. Written evidence from The Northern
Ireland Policing Board
INQUIRY INTO
ORGANISED CRIME
IN NORTHERN
IRELAND
1. Members of the Northern Ireland Policing
Board welcome this opportunity to make a submission to the NIAC
Inquiry into Organised Crime in Northern Ireland. The following
comments were considered and agreed at the December 2005 meeting
of the Policing Board.
2. Board Members noted that the Committee
intend to examine:
"the nature of organised crime in Northern
Ireland, the impact of organised crime on society and the economy
in Northern Ireland, and the effectiveness of measures taken by
the Government and relevant agencies to counter organised crime.
The Committee may also choose to examine other associated issues
which arise in the course of the inquiry."
3. Board Members believe that organised
crime is a scourge on Northern Ireland society. It has a grip
on communities in Northern Ireland, most notably working class
communities, and a concerted joined-up approach to tackling organised
crime is the only solution.
4. Board Members have noted that the NIAC
Inquiry will take into consideration the social impact of this
crime and also the economic impact of it. Organised Crime is widely
believed to be a victimless crime with the Treasury being the
only "losers". However, there are numerous examples
of organised crime putting businesses in Northern Ireland out
of business particularly, although not exclusively, those in border
areas which can be significantly affected by fuel and tobacco
smuggling.
5. In light of the emphasis the Board has
placed on tackling organised crime through setting targets in
the Annual Policing Plan, PSNI representatives brief the Board
every six months on the PSNI activity to combat organised crime.
We have been advised that organised criminal gangs are engaged
in a wide range of activity including drugs, smuggling of fuel,
tobacco and other commodities, counterfeiting, extortion, armed
robbery and money laundering. We have also noted that paramilitary
organisations are heavily involved across a wide range of such
activities and are generating significant criminal profits for
both personal and organisational use. PSNI is wholly committed
to working with partner agencies to tackle organised crime gangs
at all levels and to make the most effective use of relevant legislation
to seize their criminal gains and to take the profit out of crime.
PSNI also intend to place continued emphasis on tackling the Class
A drugs market.
6. Board Members would refer Committee members
to the various reports and assessments completed by the Organised
Crime Task Force and available at www.octf.gov.uk which contain
significant detail on the impact of the crime and successes in
tackling it.
7. The following policing objective set
by the Secretary of State provides the overarching framework for
the Board objectives, and consequently PSNI activity, that contributes
towards tackling organised crime:
"To work in partnership with other relevant
agencies to help reduce the incidence of crime, including organised
crime, in line with the Government's published targets; and to
diminish the fear of crime."
8. It is intended in the 2006-09 Policing
Plan that the Board will set a range of objectives and targets
around clearance and detection rates for various crimes, including
violent and drug related crime, which will set the focus for PSNI
activity.
9. In the past 12 months PSNI have reported
to the Board on two occasions how they have contributed to the
fight against organised crime and aside from instances of crime
detection, Board Members have noted the focus that has been placed
on disrupting the activities of various organised crime gangs.
Board members have also noted the cross border working between
PSNI and An Garda Siochana and indeed PSNI and other UK forces
and other jurisdictions. Given that this type of crime knows no
boundaries this joined up working is to be welcomed.
10. On this point Members would like it
noted that the links between the Organised Crime Task Force and
the National Criminal Intelligence Service, and the new Serious
and Organised Crime Agency should be maintained.
11. The NIO chaired Organised Crime Task
Force brings together the various agencies in Northern Ireland
who have a contribution to make to fighting organised crime. Board
members have for a long time considered that they should have
a seat on this Task Force in view of their statutory role in ensuring
an effective and efficient police service and in holding the Chief
Constable to account. Board Members believe that while the Task
Force brings a coordinated approach to this problem the impact
of organised crime on communities in Northern Ireland, and how
the police tackle it, in conjunction with other agencies, brings
it firmly into the remit of the Board. We welcome the fact that,
following a review of the Task Force, the Chairman and Vice-chairman
of the Board have recently been offered seats on the stake-holder
group of the Task Force. The Board looks forward to playing a
significant role in this regard.
12. Finally, Members believe that careful
thought needs to be given to how the approach to organised crime
will be developed following the transfer of primacy for National
Security in 2007 and under any future devolution of policing and
justice. The Board's role and contribution in both scenarios needs
to be maintained.
14 December 2005
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