Home Office launches new strategy to tackle organised crime

The Home Secretary has launched a new strategy aimed at tackling serious and organised crime.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has estimated that there are at least 59,000 people in the UK involved in serious and organised crime and that it costs the UK at least £47 billion each year.

The new strategy sets out action to eradicate complex criminal networks, including through the NCA. It will also empower local forces to tackle these illicit crimes in their communities and set out work overseas to prevent exploitation, such as modern slavery and human trafficking.

It is hoped the strategy will strengthen local communities' resilience to serious and organised crime and ensure that once one gang has been dismantled, another does not take its place.

The 'Clear, Hold, Build' policing tactic will be rolled out to every police force in England and Wales by next spring, which it is hoped will empower police and local partners to clear communities of gangs and prevent criminals from exploiting the vaccuum.

The tactic is already in operation in 18 forces across 31 sites. Since January 2022, there has been a 45 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour in Easington Lane, on the outskirts of Sunderland and in Barnet, the Metropolitan Police Service arrested 160 individuals for 272 offences, including murder, aggravated burglary and kidnap, in the first 2 months of the programme.

Home secretary James Cleverly said: "Serious and organised crime threatens our national security and prosperity, degrades society and causes serious harm to individuals and businesses up and down the country.

"Through investment in innovative and cutting-edge policing capabilities and tactics, collaboration with international partners, as well as creating new criminal offences, we will disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups and those who enable them."

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