Menu
15/09/2004
Pearson highlights 'serious threat' of crime gangs
Northern Ireland faces a "serious threat" from organised crime and greater cross-border co-operation is needed to counter the surge of illegal activity, according to Security Minister Ian Pearson.
Addressing members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) at Stormont yesterday, Mr Pearson, who also chairs the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), said that improving intelligence and analysis had identified 230 organised crime gangs.
To combat cross-border crime networks, PSNI, Customs and An Garda Siochana will later this month unveil the first jointly developed cross-border 'Threat Assessment' which is designed to "raise the co-operation between law enforcement agencies, north and south, to a new level".
Mr Pearson said that intelligence would feed into the partner agencies' operational response and would equip them to do more on the ground.
"The frequency of successful operations right across Northern Ireland is, we feel, a good sign of how that information is being applied. Customs for example, mount operations in some shape or form practically every working day of the year," he said.
“We also know much more about how the border is being exploited by the criminals. And with the support of the Irish government we have established mechanisms to tackle those who think they can use the land boundary with impunity to their advantage. Over the past year, there have been a number of very successful cross-border investigations into organised crime."
The hour-long briefing with NIAC and the OCTF came the end of two days of evidence gathering on hate crime in Northern Ireland.
(gmcg)
Addressing members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) at Stormont yesterday, Mr Pearson, who also chairs the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), said that improving intelligence and analysis had identified 230 organised crime gangs.
To combat cross-border crime networks, PSNI, Customs and An Garda Siochana will later this month unveil the first jointly developed cross-border 'Threat Assessment' which is designed to "raise the co-operation between law enforcement agencies, north and south, to a new level".
Mr Pearson said that intelligence would feed into the partner agencies' operational response and would equip them to do more on the ground.
"The frequency of successful operations right across Northern Ireland is, we feel, a good sign of how that information is being applied. Customs for example, mount operations in some shape or form practically every working day of the year," he said.
“We also know much more about how the border is being exploited by the criminals. And with the support of the Irish government we have established mechanisms to tackle those who think they can use the land boundary with impunity to their advantage. Over the past year, there have been a number of very successful cross-border investigations into organised crime."
The hour-long briefing with NIAC and the OCTF came the end of two days of evidence gathering on hate crime in Northern Ireland.
(gmcg)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 September 2024
New Rural Crime Awareness Campaign Launched
A new digital awareness campaign to support rural communities across Northern Ireland has been launched by the PSNI and the Rural Crime Partnership group to mark Rural Crime Week NI 2024 – Monday 23rd to Friday 27th September.
New Rural Crime Awareness Campaign Launched
A new digital awareness campaign to support rural communities across Northern Ireland has been launched by the PSNI and the Rural Crime Partnership group to mark Rural Crime Week NI 2024 – Monday 23rd to Friday 27th September.
19 September 2024
NI Lorry Driver Jailed In Connection With £3m Drug Seizure
A 38-year-old man has been jailed in connection with the largest single drug seizure by the PSNI. At Belfast Crown Court, Andrew Stafford pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.
NI Lorry Driver Jailed In Connection With £3m Drug Seizure
A 38-year-old man has been jailed in connection with the largest single drug seizure by the PSNI. At Belfast Crown Court, Andrew Stafford pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.
07 February 2023
Weapons And Drugs Seized In Portadown Search Operation
Nine suspected firearms, several Samurai swords, quantities of Class A and B drugs and related paraphernalia, and approximately £6,000 in cash have been seized in a PSNI operation in Portadown.
Weapons And Drugs Seized In Portadown Search Operation
Nine suspected firearms, several Samurai swords, quantities of Class A and B drugs and related paraphernalia, and approximately £6,000 in cash have been seized in a PSNI operation in Portadown.
15 October 2013
Assembly Debates DUP NCA Motion
The Northern Ireland Assembly is debating a DUP motion today addressing the possible impact of not establishing the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Northern Ireland. Dubbed the 'British FBI', the NCA is a national law enforcement agency that operates across the United Kingdom.
Assembly Debates DUP NCA Motion
The Northern Ireland Assembly is debating a DUP motion today addressing the possible impact of not establishing the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Northern Ireland. Dubbed the 'British FBI', the NCA is a national law enforcement agency that operates across the United Kingdom.
11 May 2023
PSNI Launches Rural And Wildlife Crime Prevention Campaign
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a five-week long policing operation to combat rural and wildlife crime. The operation, which began today, Wednesday 10th May and will run until Sunday 18th June, aims to raise awareness of crime prevention measures.
PSNI Launches Rural And Wildlife Crime Prevention Campaign
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a five-week long policing operation to combat rural and wildlife crime. The operation, which began today, Wednesday 10th May and will run until Sunday 18th June, aims to raise awareness of crime prevention measures.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
