(The Secretary of State for the
Home Department): The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads the
fight against serious and organised crime (SOC). It has the power
to task other law enforcement partners and a capability, with
local to international reach, to disrupt the impact of SOC on the
UK.
This is the sixth HMICFRS inspection of the NCA and examines the
effectiveness of its criminal intelligence
function. The focus is specifically on
capabilities, resourcing, alignment with the 2018 SOC Strategy
and the National Strategic Assessment (NSA), ability to provide a
single, authoritative, strategic assessment of threat, and
compliance with national intelligence standards and existing
legislation
I have asked HMICFRS to publish the report on my behalf. It will
be published today and will be available online at www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk.
I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of both
Houses.
The inspection found that the NCA is meeting its statutory
obligation to provide a criminal intelligence function and has
the resources and systems in place to effectively manage
information. Some deficiencies were identified in relation to PND
license provision, the need for timely submission of regional
threat assessment and ensuring staff and systems are equipped to
adequately manage sensitive intelligence. HMICFRS made four
recommendations which, once addressed will improve procedures and
strengthen the Agency’s criminal intelligence capability.
It is for the NCA’s Director General to respond to these
recommendations, in line with the requirements of the Crime and
Courts Act 2013.
