What is serious and organised crime?

Although serious and organised crime (SOC) is often thought of in a regional, national or international context its impact is most felt by local communities. It harms individuals, families and local businesses with rippling implications for even the smallest and most rural communities. Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) often use intimidation tactics and corruption for unlawful gain. They are unscrupulous in their pursuit of money, power or personal gratification through the harm of others.

These crimes are often hidden and take place around us every day. Too often, the theft of a mobile phone or possession of drugs for personal use enables a more insidious, organised and pervasive criminality such as human trafficking or fraud. SOC has a significant social and economic cost – estimated at £24 billion each year to the overall economy.

Organised Crime Networks undertake the following criminal activities:

• The organised supply and distribution of drugs
• Sophisticated theft and robbery
• Organised child sexual exploitation, including the sharing of indecent images of children online
• Human trafficking and modern slavery
• Fraud and other forms of financial crime
• The supply of firearms or other weapons and counterfeit goods
• Cyber crime and cyber-enabled crime, including online grooming, harassment and stalking.

If you have witnessed a crime which you suspect is part of an organised crime network you can report it anonymously through the Crimestoppers website

Who is responsible for tackling serious and organised crime?

Everyone. Public sector organisations and law enforcement agencies have a duty to protect the wellbeing of their local communities including: Local Authorities, Police, health, Probation services, social care, education services and immigration enforcement.

Under section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act councils have a responsibility to do all that they reasonably can to prevent, crime and disorder in their area. Publically commissioned private and voluntary sector providers must also contribute to prevention efforts through due diligence and information sharing to protect communities from serious and organised crime.

Safer Cornwall is a well-established community safety partnership (CSP) and is well placed to lead on the strategic coordination of this activity. The partnership has access to a wealth of powers available through its partners that can disrupt the activity of local OCGs. Just within Cornwall Council: Trading Standards, planning enforcement, licensing, environmental health, anti-social behaviour and safeguarding powers it can minimise the harm of OCGs on local people and communities.