ROCUs expand focus to online predators
Regional organised crime units (ROCUs) are increasingly using their specialist capabilities to tackle online child sexual abuse, domestic abuse and exploitation alongside their traditional focus on serious organised crime, police leaders have said.
Originally established in 2013 to combat organised crime groups involved in drugs, firearms and money laundering, the network of around 4,000 officers and staff across England and Wales is now playing a growing role in protecting vulnerable people from online harm.
Figures released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) show ROCUs arrested 4,363 suspects over the past year, secured prison sentences totalling 7,242 years and safeguarded 2,259 children and 823 adults.
The units also carried out 3,570 disruptions against organised crime groups, arrested 1,492 suspects for drugs and firearms offences, seized 95 firearms and more than 1.5 tonnes of cocaine, 158kg of heroin and 8.4 tonnes of cannabis.
Alongside this work, specialist online investigations resulted in the arrest of 1,393 suspects, prison sentences totalling 1,487 years and the safeguarding of 1,351 children.
In one investigation, officers identified a man who had posted online about sexually abusing a child and attempted to share abuse material with someone he believed to be another offender. He was later jailed for 29 years.
In a separate case, ROCU investigators used specialist digital forensic techniques to obtain evidence after a woman reported being coerced by her partner into sexual activity with multiple strangers, leading to the suspect being charged and remanded.
Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for ROCUs, said organised crime was becoming increasingly complex, with offenders exploiting digital technology and targeting vulnerable people.
“The ROCU network has evolved significantly since its creation and now plays a crucial role in tackling some of the most harmful threats facing our communities,” he said.
“From disrupting organised crime groups involved in drugs and firearms, to protecting children from online predators, supporting victims of abuse and identifying hidden exploitation, our officers and staff are making a tangible difference every day.”
Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, NPCC lead for serious organised crime, said organised criminals were increasingly using technology to exploit vulnerable people.
“Today, vulnerability is a theme we recognise and see running throughout so many of our investigations because organised criminals are experts in exploitation and coercion,” she said.