Regional response to SOC good, but concerns over individual forces
The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) is good at tackling serious and organised crime (SOC), according to the police inspectorate.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the regional unit has a good understanding of the threat and setting priorities to tackle it.
The inspectorate also found examples of ‘promising practice’ in how it effectively manages serious crime prevention orders
The SEROCU has a dedicated officer who is an expert in Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs). This helps to make sure that high-quality applications are submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The officer has developed working relationships with offender management teams in the regional forces, as well as HM Prison and Probation Service, to improve SCPO applications.
“The officer has also developed guidance and training for applicants in forces,” said HMICFRS. “They also quality assure SCPOs before they are submitted and work with the CPS. The SEROCU told us that, as a result, the CPS accepts 85 per cent of applications on first submission.
“During our regional force inspections, personnel preparing SCPO applications told us they valued the support from the regional SCPO officer.”
However, inspectors found the unit and its constituent forces need improve how they work together to tackle SOC.
The south-east region consists of four forces – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Thames Valley Police.
Individually, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary was found to be ‘inadequate’.
Inspectors said the constabulary needs to make sure it fully understands the threats from SOC affecting its communities, and share information across the workforce.
Surrey Police was found to require improvement at tackling SOC, in particular it needs to make sure it has enough intelligence analysts to understand the threats.
Inspectors found Sussex Police, which works with Surrey to tackle certain elements of SOC was adequate at tackling serious and organised crime, but again it should make sure it has enough intelligence analysts to understand the threat.
Thames Valley Police was found to require improvement at tackling SOC. Inspectors said it needs to use local profiles to inform a local response to SOC.