Matters of Priority
3. Serious and organised crime
Thousands of lives are damaged every year by serious and organised crime. From firearms to cybercrime and modern slavery to human trafficking, we’re committed to disrupting and dismantling co-ordinated, criminal behaviour.
We’ve invested extra time, resources and expertise. We’re working hard to build relationships across all our communities. We want to identify signs of crime earlier and safeguard those at risk. Help us make the difference.
What is Serious and Organised Crime?
Serious Organised Crime (SOC) is often described as individuals, working alone or as part of a gang, who plan, coordinate, and commit serious crime. These crimes can include, but are not limited to:
- Illegal drugs
- Modern slavery and human trafficking
- Child criminal exploitation
- Cyber crime
- Money laundering
The motivation behind serious organised crime is usually for financial gain and the effects of SOC can often be felt by everybody in the community, regardless of if they’re involved or not. This is why we need your help to identify and bring those involved with organised crime groups (OCGs) to justice. Tell us if you know about:
- Drug dealing
- Children involved in supplying drugs
- People being forced in hand over their pay
- Drug dealers moving in with a vulnerable person (known as cuckooing)
- People who use weapons
You can report via our website, or by calling 999 in an emergency or 101, or you can report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via the Crimestoppers website.
What progress has been made?
There has been vast improvements in the fight to stop the offenders and protect those vulnerable to serious and organised crime throughout the county. Just some of the highlights include:
- 181 arrests have been made, including organised crime group (OCG) individuals
- At least 16 county lines have been broken up
- 397 intelligence logs have been submitted, and a new organised crime group identified
- 15 new individuals have been identified that were connected to gangs or organised crime
- Two people have been sentenced for human trafficking offences that took place in the county between 2017 and 2019
Current and updated information regarding the progress in our fight against Serious and Organised Crime can be found on our News page.
Advice and information
Being a part of a gang can and does ruin the lives of those involved. You may be involved in a gang yourself, or might have noticed some changes in a friend or family member that you’re worried about but there is plenty of help and support available to you.
Use the links below and at the bottom of this page to find advice and information about serious organised crime and gang culture.
