SOCA working in partnership worldwide
Organised crime is a global issue and many of the threats affecting the UK originate abroad. During 2008/09 we handled more than 27,000 new international cases.
SOCA is in a unique position to combat organised crime internationally:
- we act as the UK’s national central bureau for important international crime-fighting networks, including Interpol, Europol, and Schengen;
- we’re the UK Central Authority for the European Arrest Warrant, a fast track arrest and extradition scheme operating between EU member states; and
- our network of liaison officers and our UK support teams work closely with partners around the world.
In addition, we provide the gateway to a wide range of international services, responding to requests from UK and overseas partners.
Fighting crime around the world
SOCA fights organised crime in countries throughout the world, including in the remote and challenging environments of West Africa and Afghanistan.
We have around 140 SOCA liaison officers (SLOs) based in key locations across the globe. Their main role is to lead and support SOCA projects and operations overseas. This support includes intelligence, research and development and brokering relationships with key partners.
The SLO network is supported by large teams of personnel in the UK, who coordinate activity on SOCA operations.
The Strategic Alliance Group
SOCA is working in collaboration with seven international law enforcement partners called the Strategic Alliance Group (SAG) to reduce the threat of global organised crime and its international impact. The partners are from five countries: the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
With more common threats and ever greater pressure on resources, sharing intelligence, understanding common threats and committing shared resources to do something about them is a focus of the group.
National boundaries are not a barrier to serious organised criminals and they should not be a barrier to law enforcement. Agencies working together to reduce these barriers won’t be welcomed by serious organised criminals. But will clearly be welcomed by governments, law enforcement agencies and the public.
Members of the Strategic Alliance Group:
- Serious Organised Crime Agency
- Australian Crime Commission
- Australian Federal Police
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- New Zealand Police
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Europol
Europol is the European intelligence office for serious and organised crime. There are 27 member states, and Europol provides a secure IT network for liaison officers to communicate easily, so sensitive law enforcement enquiries can be safely transmitted. In addition, Europol has a large panel of analysts working to counter crime and stay one step ahead of organised criminals.
SOCA is the Europol National Unit in the UK.
Interpol
Interpol is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 187 member countries. Its aim is to smooth international police cooperation. It does this by assisting with police investigations and cases between its member countries, all of whom supply and request information and services from each other.
One of Interpol’s most important functions is to help police in member countries share critical crime-related information through a common platform.
SOCA is the UK National Control Bureau for Interpol services.
Fugitives
SOCA acts as the focal point in the UK for conducting overseas operations to track down serious organised crime threats that originate in the UK.
For example, under Operation Captura, we work with Crimestoppers to coordinate appeals on behalf of British law enforcement concerning dangerous British criminals believed to be on the run in Spain. The aim is to bring them back to UK. In October 2009, we captured our 25th criminal out of the 50 on our ‘wanted’ list.
These are individuals wanted for serious crimes such as murder, sex offences, drug trafficking and kidnapping.
Find out more about our work with international partners now
Visit the Europol website
Take a look at the Interpol website
Further details of Operation Captura are on the Crimestoppers website