NCA spending 80% of IT budget maintaining legacy systems, HMICFRS warns
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is spending around 80 per cent of its IT budget maintaining outdated legacy systems, according to a new inspection which warned the agency does not have sufficient resources to meet all the demands being placed upon it by government.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found the NCA was reliant on 260 legacy IT systems, with ageing infrastructure affecting the agency’s ability to operate effectively and efficiently while increasing reliance on manual processes.
Inspectors warned the pressures could ultimately pose risks to public safety and national security, despite praising the agency’s operational performance against serious and organised crime.
HMICFRS graded the NCA as ‘good’ in three areas, ‘adequate’ in one area and ‘requires improvement’ in two areas. Inspectors praised the agency’s operational work, highlighting the disruption of the LockBit ransomware group and the NCA’s role in Project Chapelgate, which has recovered more than £180 million in criminal assets since 2008.
The report further said NCA officers demonstrated “professionalism, resilience and a strong public service ethos”, while the agency was also commended for its partnerships across law enforcement, government and the private sector.
However, inspectors raised significant concerns about the agency’s IT infrastructure, which they described as not fit for purpose. The inspectorate recommended that the NCA and Home Office urgently develop a costed IT strategy to modernise systems and improve operational capability.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Lee Freeman said: “The National Crime Agency has considerable strengths. The agency is good at investigating serious and organised crime, works very well with a broad range of national and international partners, and its officers show immense professionalism and resilience.
“However, the NCA doesn’t have enough resources to meet all of the demand the government asks it to meet, which could present a risk to public safety and national security. The urgent need for investment in IT infrastructure and systems also cannot be underestimated.”
The report also identified areas for improvement in business planning, workforce management and HR processes.
The findings reflect wider concerns across policing and law enforcement about increasing digital demand, ageing technology infrastructure and the growing complexity of tackling serious organised crime.
The NCA said many of the challenges identified by inspectors were already recognised internally and work to address them was under way.
Director General Graeme Biggar said the agency was undertaking “an extensive IT modernisation programme” while continuing efforts to improve culture and working conditions for officers.
He added that the NCA would be working with government and policing partners “to create a new National Police Service” aimed at strengthening the national response to serious and organised crime.