Gathering criminal intelligence

A vital area of our work is compiling and assessing criminal intelligence and other related information. Here’s a brief overview of what we do.

What is intelligence?

Intelligence is information that is received or collected to answer specific questions on who, what, where, when, how and why organised crime operates in the UK.

We generally look for information in three broad areas:

• Personal information on individuals we suspect are involved in serious crime, or their close associates, or whose personal information is required in connection with our UK or international duties.
• Information that enables the identification and profiling of people whose activities fall within our statutory responsibilities.
• Other important information relating to the harm caused by organised crime.

Where do we get our information from?

SOCA gathers information, including intelligence, through our operations, and via other law enforcement agencies such as the police, other government agencies and the private sector.

We only collect information to undertake our statutory or other legal functions. The gathering, sharing and storing of this information and intelligence by us is governed by legislation, the criminal justice system and strict internal safeguards to ensure all information is secure.

Criminal intelligence gathering

For further details on the intelligence we have on organised crime threats, click here