Ford warns public of dangers of supporting organised crime
Justice Minister David Ford has urged the public not to support organised crime.
~ Thursday, 2 February 2012
Launching Northern Ireland’s first Organised Crime Taskforce (OCTF) Strategy during a meeting with the Policing Board, the Minister said the public has a major role to play in tackling the threat from organised criminals.
The Strategy also points to the growing global nature of organised crime and how Northern Ireland is not immune from the threat of international crimes, particularly human trafficking and the drugs trade.
David Ford, who chairs the Organised Crime Task Force, said that law enforcement agencies are determined in their fight against organised crime.
He said: “There is a huge misconception that crimes such as counterfeiting and fuel laundering only impact on the profit margins of big corporations and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This simply isn’t the case.
“What I want the public to understand is that organised crime is interlinked. Buying a fake handbag or counterfeit DVD may mean that you are also funding a crime gang to engage in the drugs trade or to traffic people for sexual exploitation.”
The Minister continued: “The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland would rightly condemn human trafficking but see little harm in getting a so-called ‘bargain’. People need to move away from that mindset. I want them to stop and think what their money may be used for by the crime gangs.
“I call on the public not to willingly purchase the products of illegal criminality and to report any suspicions they have to the law enforcement agencies or through Crimestoppers.”
Turning the international nature of organised crime, David Ford continued: “While crime levels in Northern Ireland are on a downward trend, the law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in the fight against crime.
“The threat posed by organised crime gangs is an evolving one and the evidence of international crime gangs operating in Northern Ireland is a worrying development.
"The PSNI works closely with all the organisations under the umbrella of the Organised Crime Task Force to disrupt and dismantle crime gangs from wherever they emerge. The police need our continued support in this work.”
The Minister said that the OCTF has been very successful and thanked its members for their continued dedication.
David Ford continued: “The Task Force is unique within the UK and Ireland and partnership is the cornerstone of its success. This strategy is another example of the collective determination and commitment of all OCTF partners to tackle these criminals head on.
“I want to thank them for their continued contribution towards making Northern Ireland a safer place for us all.”
Further information on organised crime be found on nidirect at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/tackling-organised-crime.htm
Notes to editors
- Download the Northern Ireland Organised Crime Strategy
- The Organised Crime Task Force was established in 2000 to provide a multi-agency partnership approach to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland. The OCTF does not assume an operational role this remains with the individual law enforcement agencies.
- OCTF partners are held to account by their own internal reporting mechanisms the NI Organised Crime Strategy does not impose any additional reporting requirements.
- All media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office on 028 9052 6444. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
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