Naomi Long seeks views of NI public on new offences to tackle organised crime

Justice Minister Naomi Long has signalled that she intends to introduce new offences for directing and participating in organised crime.
Naomi LongNaomi Long
Naomi Long

The Minister has launched two new consultations - one seeking views on proposals for new organised crime offences for Northern Ireland and the other on a draft Organised Crime Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Mrs Long said: “Organised crime causes harm, misery and fear within our communities. When I took the Justice portfolio, I said that addressing these issues was a priority for me and that very much remains the case.

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“The consultations I am launching seek views on a range of proposals to reinforce the response to organised crime through the introduction of specific legislative provisions, including a statutory definition of serious organised crime and new offences of directing organised crime; participating in organised crime and provision for relevant offences aggravated by connection with organised crime.”

She added: “These new powers would ensure that law enforcement in Northern Ireland is able to avail of robust and appropriate legislative tools to investigate, disrupt, prosecute and bring to justice those involved in serious organised crime. I want to send a strong message to criminals that the harm they cause to individuals and communities within Northern Ireland will not be tolerated.”

A statment from the Department of Justice said the proposed new offences are part of a wider strategic approach to tackling serious organised crime set out in a new draft strategy which has been developed following discussions with operational partners. It is informed by consideration of threat assessments.