Blunkett announces 'British FBI'

[4me2]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> Drug trafficking is now international big business



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA -->Plans for an elite new agency to tackle organised crime have been unveiled by the government.



It will merge the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and investigative branches of Customs and the Immigration Service.

The UK-wide Serious Organised Crime Agency will combat crimes like people smuggling and drug trafficking.

Although already dubbed Britain's FBI, the crime-fighting force will not deal with terrorism or murder cases.

'Long overdue'

Announcing the creation of the agency, Home Secretary David Blunkett said more new measures to combat organised crime would be unveiled shortly.

"Organised criminals make their millions from human misery - trafficking in drugs and people, engaging in fraud and extortion.

"They control criminal empires that reach from the other side of the world to the dealer on the street corner," he said.

<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg>HAVE YOUR SAY

The police are simply overwhelmed by the level of crime.


Sean, Burnley, UK




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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->He continued: "We must become better organised, more sophisticated and more technologically capable than the criminals."

The agency, which marks the biggest shake-up of policing structure since 1964 when the 43 force areas were drawn up, is not expected to operate until 2006.

The centrally-funded agency will employ as many as 5,000 agents to fight the big business end of organised crime, which individual forces find difficult to tackle on their own.

The Metropolitan Police welcomed the new agency.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said: ""London's communities are blighted by organised criminal networks, which have a national and international dimension.

"We will work with the agency to ensure there is a faster and more flexible approach to dealing with this menace".

Roy Ramm, former head of the Organised Crime Unit, also welcomed the move.

He told the BBC: "There are issues of overlap and sometimes turf wars.

"Bringing these agencies together will make an enormous difference and is long overdue."

Civilian staff

The Association of Chief Police Officers wants the government to ensure the agency avoids US-style arguments between "feds" and local police.

The agency will have the power to make its own arrests, but will also provide intelligence to a local force and leave the prosecution to them.

<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg>AGENCIES

NCIS: 1,200 staff, £93m budget
NCS: 1,750 staff, £130m budget
Customs: 1,850 staff


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->There has been increasing concern a single national body would find it easier to deal with gangs who might operate in Europe as well as the UK.

The authorities are also having to change the way they operate to tackle people smuggling, with gangs often involved in crimes such as trafficking sex slaves or child pornography.

The new agency is likely to have civilian investigators such as accountants, financial experts and computer experts. A team will now be set up to appoint a chairman and director-general for the agency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3471195.stm

[Shotgunjim]

If this is what it takes to crack down on serious crime then so be it... lets just hope it doesnt get as corrupt as other 'special agencies'...

[Cam]

Although already dubbed Britain's FBI, the crime-fighting force will not deal with terrorism or murder cases.

what about ufos ?

[Tattooed Freak]

Let's see how much this venture add's to our council tax.

[Markass]

it dosen't sound like it will be too bad but it involves Blunkett so it probably means restricting civil liberties in some way.

Tattooed Freak: the whole basis of a Federal Police force is that it is a national and not local force. It will be paid for through income tax (and other stealth taxes) and not council tax. Council tax as the name suggests is for paying for local council run scemes such as schools.

There is some concerns that a lot of the best specialised officers will be taken away from general police forces to be put in the 'federal' force.
Some also fear this will be used as an excuse by blunkett to lower the burden of proof in cases such as international crime.

[Tattooed Freak]

Either way, we the tax payer will get screwed. Council Tax, Income Tax...let the government bend me over f@ck me up the ar5e and steal my money tax.

[jackroo]

I wonder if they will have those cool jackets? like FBI gotta get me one of those babies :0)

[jackroo]

You just know if they did get cool jackets the abbreviation on the back would be like K.U.N.T.

Lol

English version of FBI lol can’t wait

[Tattooed Freak]

Apply for them instead of the cop's m8!

[maverick_15]

You just know if they did get cool jackets the abbreviation on the back would be like K.U.N.T.

Lol

English version of FBI lol can’t wait

or S.O.C.A.? :nowords: