Extract from Lords debate
on the Phillipines
(Con):...The
question that arises is: what can we do? We are using the global
Britain and modern slavery funds to support programmes and projects
that promote human rights and protect human rights defenders. In
response to the noble Baroness, Lady Meacher, we continue to make
the case for drug addiction to be treated not as a criminal matter
but as a health issue, and to offer UK assistance on the
rehabilitation of addicts. My noble friend spoke movingly of the
tragic and profoundly distressing consequences of lawlessness and
criminal conduct, graphically describing its face and human cost. I
assure him that we engage with the Philippine authorities on
judicial reform and prison overcrowding, and are encouraging
progress on human rights through our growing security
co-operation—for example, by working with the Philippine judiciary
and law enforcement agencies to improve their understanding of the
workings of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Importantly, we
have established a permanent National Crime Agency presence in the
Philippines to tackle the appalling scourge of child
exploitation. The agency is working closely with
its Filipino partners to improve child protection, including by
providing training on the forensic analysis of digital media...
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Extracts from Westminster
Hall debate on Knife Crime
(Hornchurch and Upminster)
(Con):...Money needs to be concentrated not just on an
increased police presence on our streets, but on analysts and
detectives who can look at crime trends and build strong cases
against criminals higher up the food chain. I
was interested to read some of the reports last
year from the National Crime Agency, which attributed
some of the increase in street violence to the tightening grip of
Albanian crime gangs on the UK’s cocaine market. By forming direct
relationships with producers and linking with existing UK gangs,
Albanian crime gangs have been able to lower the cost of cocaine,
making it more affordable for smaller, younger street gangs to get
involved in drug dealing. The lure of easy money and a sense of
disenfranchisement from mainstream society regrettably mean that a
ready supply of teenagers have been willing to act as drug runners.
Vicious disputes and rivalries between such gangs, often ramped up
on social media, have led to the completely needless deaths of
children...
...Will the Minister let us know whether police resources are
being kept under review, in spite of the increases to which I
referred? I am also keen to hear about
progress in the National Crime Agency on cracking
down on international drug dealers, including whether there have
been any deportations and whether the NCA is working in-country
with international police forces to crack down on international
crime operations....
(West Ham) (Lab):...My
community has been calmer, but do not be deceived. The drivers of
the violence have not gone away—far from it. The second of my seven
asks was for the police and the courts to focus on those who are
driving much of the violence for profit by grooming and exploiting
children as cheap and disposable labour in the quest to sell drugs
across the county lines. I am grateful that the Minister for
Security has engaged with me on that, and I am expecting a
confidential update on progress from the National Crime Agency soon—I hope
this speech will prompt the Government to make that very
soon...
(Walthamstow)
(Lab/Co-op):...The National Crime Agency found that 88%
of areas now report county lines activity—a phenomenon that has
grown only in the past few years. It means that what is happening
in our capital city is affecting everyone in our country. And, yes,
young women are involved too: 90% of those areas saw young women
involved in county lines activity...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
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Written statement on
the National Crime Agency
The Minister for Policing and the Fire Service (Mr Nick
Hurd): The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads the fight
against serious and organised crime. It has the power to task
other law enforcement partners and a capability, with local to
international reach, to disrupt the impact of serious and
organised crime on the UK.
This is the fifth HMIC inspection of the NCA. The inspection
stemmed from a recommendation in the 2015 NCA internal review of
warrants and was conducted jointly with HM Crown Prosecution
Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI).
This report is being published today and I will arrange for a
copy to be placed in the Library of both Houses. I have asked Her
Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue
Services to publish this report on my behalf and it will be
available online at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.
The inspection found that the NCA has been working to tackle the
areas of concern highlighted in the 2015 review. The inspection
of search authorities, search warrants and production orders
identified some deficiencies, but overall HMICFRS found the
applications are completed to a good standard. HMICFRS made six
recommendations which will improve procedures and update guidance
and they believe these recommendations will help enhance what is
already a mature process.
It is for the director general to respond to these
recommendations, in line with the requirements of the Crime and
Courts Act 2013.
