Summary
Plans to create a more hostile environment for organised criminals, seize their assets and shut down their businesses are part of a strategy designed to step up the fight against serious organised crime, detailed in a new publication issued by the Home Office on 13 July 2009. The strategy follows an assessment of how criminals are exploiting new global trends, outlining innovative approaches for government and law enforcement agencies. Serious and organised crime is a multi-billion pound global business; trafficking in drugs and people, fraud and financial crime cost the UK Exchequer alone in the region of £30bn a year. Whilst the UK’s approach to serious and organised crime has been acclaimed as one of the most sophisticated in the world, the threat is constantly evolving and global trends are creating opportunities for organised criminals that didn’t exist five years ago. In particular, there is an increasing link between organised crime and weak or failing states, where it is easier for criminals to operate without detection or disruption, using newer technology to commit traditional crimes like fraud or theft by attacking IT networks.
Contents
1. Seriousd organized crime: an overview of the problem. -- 2. Principles guiding our response. -- 3. Enhancing our systems. -- 4. Responding to the roots of the problem overseas. -- 5. Equipping law enforcement to succeed. -- 6. Creating a hostile environment for serious organized criminals. -- 7. Making organized criminals pay. -- 8. Creating a new partnership with business and the public.