Cross-Border Crime Fight Expanded

The cross-border battle against crime is at an all-time high.

According to the Stormont Justice Minister David Ford and his opposite number in the Irish Republic, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, co-operation across the border has never been better.

The Alliance Minister was speaking at a cross border seminar on organised crime and outlined their recent successes in tackling organised crime both north and south.

They were also joined by the PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie and An Garda Síochána Commissioner Fachtna Murphy who jointly published the biennial Cross Border Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2010.

The Assessment identifies emerging threats within organised crime and an insight into the work being done by both police services.

Speaking after the event, David Ford said: "The level of cooperation between all law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border has never been better.

"That is particularly evident with the recent successes against those involved in human trafficking.

"This heinous form of criminality is being tackled by the Organised Crime Task Force partners on both sides of the border. With the cooperation that has been established over the years, the PSNI, UK Border Agency and An Garda Siochana are working together to disrupt gangs and rescue people from this modern form of human slavery," he said.

"The Threat Assessment also highlighted successes in the seizure of tobacco, counterfeit goods and fuel showing that this cooperation is working and that criminals who think they can exploit the border need to know that north/south cooperation will only be further strengthened as we move forward - at a policing and political level.

"We will continue to disrupt their activities and pursue them through the courts for criminal convictions and to strip them of their assets," he said.

The Dáil Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, said: "We have seen the callous disregard for human life displayed by those involved in the drugs trade. We have the appalling spectacle in the 21st century of human traffickers condemning people to lives of slavery.

"Let no-one think that some of the excise crimes that are being tackled should not be regarded as serious - or are crimes which have no victims.

"Put simply, the activities of the people involved set out to undermine all we do as a society to provide for the common good. No one may be very happy with the taxes they have to pay, but crimes against the Exchequer are crimes against every law abiding citizen."

Meanwhile, PSNI Deputy Director Judith Gillespie said: "Organised crime does not respect borders, communities or individuals. We are determined to continue to work with our partners to disrupt, dismantle and bring before the courts those who would seek to make money by taking unlawful advantage of others.

"We will do this by every legitimate means at our disposal and at every opportunity."

Gardaí Commissioner Fachtna Murphy (pictured) added: "Cooperation between police on this island is happening every day as we continually work together to confront organised criminal activity."

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(BMcC/GK)