News

Organised crime is not new and it is certainly not specific to Northern Ireland. But in Northern Ireland, because of the legacy of terrorism, organised criminal activity has the potential to impact on the very fabric of society itself. Consequently, the Government is committed to confronting the invidious influence of organised crime groups in Northern Ireland.

On 25 September 2000, the then Secretary of State, Peter Mandelson, announced the establishment of a multi-agency Organised Crime Task Force to tackle organised crime. The Minister of State, Jane Kennedy MP, chairs the Task Force, which includes representatives from the PSNI, HM Customs & Excise, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and other government agencies. This initiative is an integral part of the Government's aim to secure lasting peace and a safe, just and prosperous society in Northern Ireland.

On 23 May 2002, the Task Force published its second annual threat assessment of the problem and strategy for confronting it. The threat assesment identifies that organised criminal enterprise in Northern Ireland remains at broadly the same level as last year, although it is clear that law enforcement activity has had an impact.

Over the past twelve months, 43 criminal networks have have had members arrested and 24 networks have had members successfully prosecuted for a wide range of serious criminal offences. As a result of law enforcement activity 42 organised crime networks have been disrupted or dismantled. The threat assessment identifies a total of 76 crime networks operating in Northern Ireland.

"Our grip is tightening on organised crime and no effort will be spared in the fight against the tyranny of gangsterism in Northern Ireland. Under the leadership of the of Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, the Organised Crime task Force has shown that the most effective way to tackle organised crime is through the co-ordinated, multi-agency approach."