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See other news storiesConsultation paper issued on organised crime
17 July 2006
New proposals will make it harder for criminal organisations to operate.
The government has announced bold new plans to help law enforcement agencies target organised crime. The proposals were released by Home Secretary John Reid in the consultation paper, 'New Powers for Organised and Financial Crime'.
The proposals outlined in the paper include:
- creating a new 'prevention order' that would impose conditions on the movements and transactions of those suspected of organised crime
- streamlining the process by which public and private agencies share data on suspected fraudsters
- strengthening current laws and introducing new offences for encouraging or assisting criminal activity
At the same time, a new law designed to fight jury tampering came into effect today. These new legal provisions allow some trials to take place without juries.
Taken all together, these moves could make life much harder for criminal organisations, Home Secretary John Reid said. 'The proposals we are putting forward are designed to prevent these criminals from operating on UK soil, to disrupt their activities, target them more effectively, and make it harder for them to evade detection' .
The plan: to isolate and stop criminal organisations
The proposals in the consultation paper are designed to isolate those in crime organisations, particularly those involved in drug trafficking, illegal immigration, identity fraud and money laundering. Such crimes cost the UK an estimated £20bn each year.
The Home Secretary said these new proposals are indicative of the government's steadfast determination to fight and defeat organised crime. 'We are determined to bear down on the people who are engaged in organised criminal activity in the UK, and we believe that today's proposals will help to bring them to justice faster and more effectively,' he said.
The consultation over the paper's proposals will conclude on 17 October.
