Increased powers for new organised crime squad

The creation of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is one of a wide range of measures contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill published by the Home Office.
However, while developments in tackling serious and organised crime have been welcomed by ACPO President Chris Fox, he also warned that any new agency should build on the existing partnerships established between a wide range of organisations including police forces, NCIS, NCS and HM Customs and Excise.

As well as the creation of SOCA, the bill contains measures aimed at encouraging convicted criminals to turn Queen’s Evidence against more serious offenders by offering reduced sentences.
It also includes powers to compel individuals to answer police questions and produce documents on demand.

Judges will also have new powers to impose strict financial reporting requirements post sentence.
Home Secretary David Blunkett said that organised crime gangs are costing this country at least £20 billion a year and have to be stopped.

“This bill represents the fulfilment of a lot of hard work. The new agency will add value to the work of the existing agencies and link intelligence, investigation and intervention in new ways.”
Sir Stephen Lander, who was appointed chairman of SOCA in August, described the bill as “one of the biggest changes in UK law enforcement since the 1960s”.
He added: “The Serious Organised Crime Agency presents a real opportunity to make a difference.”

Commenting on the plans for SOCA, Mr Fox said: “A new national agency that is integrated, well managed and keeps in touch with the community will help strengthen UK law enforcement’s response to the ever changing criminal environment, and help ensure we stay one step ahead of the criminal.

“At the same time it is important to recognise that there is already a multi-agency approach with achievements that reflect joint working between police forces, NCIS, the National Crime Squad, HM Customs & Excise and other agencies. We need to build on that success.

“Multi-agency and multi-partnership working is the way forward and ACPO are currently examining the relationship that should exist between SOCA and police forces that includes a mutual support structure, intelligence sharing and operational co-ordination and tasking.
“Current arrangements are such that for very serious incidents, forces can call upon highly specialised support and with the creation of SOCA, it is absolutely essential that either this arrangement continues or forces are resourced to enable this.”

Mr Fox added that it was not possible to “consider national and international crime in isolation”, and that the ability of forces to combat regional and cross-border crime must be examined.
Other measures in the bill include giving police the power of arrest for all offences. The application and execution of warrants will be made easier by allowing multiple use and targeting more than one address. Roadside fingerprinting and the taking of other forensic samples are also to be introduced. Chief constables’ personal liability under health and safety laws will be limited.

Community Support Officers stand to gain more powers including powers to direct traffic, deter begging and carry out searches on detained suspects. CSOs and police staff will have access to data on drivers.

Hazel Blears, Home Office Minister, said: “These powers will not only provide constables with vital support that will see frontline officers spending more time where they belong, but also provide Community Support Officers and police staff with the powers they need to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour and low level crimes.”

Animal rights activists are also targeted in the bill with plans to extend harassment laws. New offences could include powers to arrest a person protesting outside a house
if it causes harassment, alarm or distress to the person living there. Protesters could also be removed from the vicinity of a person’s home and barred