Today, the UK and the Netherlands held their fourth Serious and
Organised Crime (SOC) dialogue to continue the work of stepping
up joint action to tackle serious and organised crime and to
disrupt the worldwide criminal networks that threaten both
countries' security and stability.
Organised crime groups are rapidly adapting their methods,
expanding across borders and exploiting new routes and digital
platforms in ways that increase the threat to citizens, economies
and communities.
Recognising that organised crime operates across borders, the UK
and the Netherlands are deepening joint operational cooperation
and aligning policy efforts to:
- Disruption of illicit finance
- Disruption of upstream cocaine flows Response to the threat
posed by 3D printed firearms.
Progress Since the 2025 Dialogue
Since the 2025 UK–Netherlands SOC Dialogue, the partnership has
delivered concrete results, with increased operational
cooperation both domestically and internationally leading to
multi-tonne cocaine seizures and greater strategic
alignment to counter illicit finance threats. There has also
been enhanced collaboration on managing serious
and organised crime offenders in detention, supported
by multiple expert exchanges throughout the year
and culminating in a forthcoming visit by the UK Prison
Minister to the Netherlands.
A Stronger, Unified Response
Following the Joint Statement on the UK–Netherlands Bilateral
Security Partnership in December 2025, this year's SOC
Dialogue provides a key mechanism for delivering on the
commitment to enhance diplomatic, law enforcement,
and justice cooperation in the fight
against serious organised crime.
One of the key focus points of this year's dialogue was
to strengthen action against the financial systems that enable
criminal activity, including enhanced cooperation on crypto
tracing, underground banking, asset recovery, and supporting the
UK's upcoming Illicit Finance Summit. The United Kingdom and the
Netherlands reaffirmed their commitment to stopping cocaine
upstream through information sharing, supply chain disruption,
and joint engagement with source and transit countries,
supporting the European Coalition Against Drugs of the European
Political Community and the Accra Call to Action Dialogue with
Western African countries.
Both countries further committed to deepening collaboration on 3D
printed firearms threat, firearms trafficking through joint
investigations, law enforcement cooperation, and information
sharing.
Through this annual dialogue, both countries continue to build a
stronger, more coordinated response to the threats posed by
serious and organised crime.
