New police data-sharing to target organised crime

Foreign criminals involved in serious and organised crime, including those operating networks moving illegal migrants across continents, will be identified more quickly as UK police gain faster access to European vehicle data.

As part of efforts to secure the border and tackle illegal migration, officers will be able to check overseas-registered vehicles and receive key information in seconds rather than days or even months. Previously, delays slowed investigations into criminal gangs involved in smuggling migrants, illicit drugs and illegal weapons into the UK.

Officers can now carry out number plate checks through the EU's Prüm data-sharing framework and receive results in around 10 seconds, rather than having to make individual requests to EU Member States. Where a match is found, the system provides vehicle keeper details and other key information, while also flagging stolen vehicles, helping police tackle crime, including vehicle theft, across the UK.

This capability will strengthen intelligence on cross-border crime and improve the identification of vehicles linked to trafficking networks. Earlier visibility of vehicles and individuals will enable law enforcement to identify vehicles repeatedly used in smuggling activity, better understand the supply chains underpinning migrant smuggling, and carry out more targeted, intelligence-led operations to disrupt organised criminal networks.

The system builds on the UK's existing participation in the Prüm framework, which already enables the sharing of DNA and fingerprint data with European partners, and will be operational ahead of the second UK-EU Summit in Brussels.

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

This gives British police faster access to vital information and strengthens our work with European partners.

Officers will be able to quickly link vehicles to suspects, spot stolen or cloned cars, and track the movements of smugglers across borders.

For criminals, the message is simple: you can't outrun the law by crossing borders. We will find you and bring you to justice.

Detective Chief Constable Peter Ayling, National Policing Lead for International Crime at the NPCC, said:

The ability to access keeper details of EU-registered vehicles is a welcome addition to a suite of other capabilities that help the UK tackle international crime.

Crime is increasingly a global issue, and a swift and effective approach to exchanging information and intelligence with EU partners is critical for public protection.

APCC Joint Leads on Serious Organised Crime, Lisa Townsend (Surrey PCC) and David Allen (Cumbria PFCC) said:

Serious organised crime is an increasing and global threat that plays out in communities across our country. Too many lives are devastated by the international trade in drugs and weapons, so it is vital police have all available tools to tackle it.

Quick access to EU data enabling police here to track the transnational movements of those involved in trafficking people, narcotics and lethal weapons into the UK will significantly support law enforcement in the fight against dangerous criminals whose illegal activities blight our local communities.

Today's expanded access to vehicle registration data builds on the success of earlier UK-backed operations. During Operation Mobile 3, a coordinated 2-week effort involving multiple countries, more than 44,000 vehicle checks led to the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles and 1,000 vehicle parts, while supporting action against organised crime networks, including 17 suspected migrant smugglers.

Vehicle data sharing under the Prüm system will launch with the Police Service of Northern Ireland before rolling out to forces across the UK in the coming weeks.

Under a reciprocal arrangement, EU law enforcement authorities will be able to request access to UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency data. This will help ensure criminals fleeing the UK can be identified and brought to justice.

All data sharing is subject to strict safeguards and is carried out in line with UK data protection law and the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, ensuring information is used securely and appropriately.