Menu
31/03/2006
Minister welcomes new powers to combat organised crime
Security Minister Shaun Woodward has today said that the introduction of new powers to track the financial affairs of those convicted for organised crime, is vital in ensuring that those who attempt to continue to profit from criminal activity are stopped.
Welcoming the new powers, Shaun Woodward said: “Keeping track of the financial affairs of convicted criminals will be an invaluable tool in the fight against organised crime.
“From tomorrow the courts will have powers to make financial reporting orders against anyone convicted of offences including drug trafficking, money laundering, people and arms trafficking, counterfeiting and obtaining property, money or services by deception."
This will mean that offenders will be required to provide full details of all their financial affairs for a period of anything up to 20 years after conviction and anyone convicted and made subject to such an order could be required to provide police with regular reports of their bank statements and other financial records. Failure to do this could result in a prison sentence.
The Security Minister continued: “These powers will tackle those individuals who have long-term involvement in organised crime and whose finances will now be tracked and monitored for lengthy periods.”
Mr Woodward also highlighted common law powers, which are now being put on a statutory footing to help the investigation and prosecution of organised gangs when offenders give assistance to the authorities.
The Minister said: “When an offender wishes to break from their past and help the authorities the courts will now be able to take this into consideration. It offers help to anyone who genuinely wishes to look to the future, break from their past, and help society confront the criminal gangs.
He concluded by saying that existing case law already provides for defendants who plead guilty and co-operate with the prosecution of others and by putting these people on a statutory footing, shows the government's commitment to crack organised criminal gangs.
(EF/SP)
Welcoming the new powers, Shaun Woodward said: “Keeping track of the financial affairs of convicted criminals will be an invaluable tool in the fight against organised crime.
“From tomorrow the courts will have powers to make financial reporting orders against anyone convicted of offences including drug trafficking, money laundering, people and arms trafficking, counterfeiting and obtaining property, money or services by deception."
This will mean that offenders will be required to provide full details of all their financial affairs for a period of anything up to 20 years after conviction and anyone convicted and made subject to such an order could be required to provide police with regular reports of their bank statements and other financial records. Failure to do this could result in a prison sentence.
The Security Minister continued: “These powers will tackle those individuals who have long-term involvement in organised crime and whose finances will now be tracked and monitored for lengthy periods.”
Mr Woodward also highlighted common law powers, which are now being put on a statutory footing to help the investigation and prosecution of organised gangs when offenders give assistance to the authorities.
The Minister said: “When an offender wishes to break from their past and help the authorities the courts will now be able to take this into consideration. It offers help to anyone who genuinely wishes to look to the future, break from their past, and help society confront the criminal gangs.
He concluded by saying that existing case law already provides for defendants who plead guilty and co-operate with the prosecution of others and by putting these people on a statutory footing, shows the government's commitment to crack organised criminal gangs.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 April 2002
Financial and legal professions to help tackle organised crime
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, Jane Kennedy has discussed ways to tackle the profits of organised crime with key representatives from financial, legal and accountancy professions. At the event held in Hillsborough Castle, Ms Kennedy said organised crime was a threat that confronts everyone to varying degrees.
Financial and legal professions to help tackle organised crime
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force, Jane Kennedy has discussed ways to tackle the profits of organised crime with key representatives from financial, legal and accountancy professions. At the event held in Hillsborough Castle, Ms Kennedy said organised crime was a threat that confronts everyone to varying degrees.
16 August 2004
Man charged in connection with fuel fraud
A Co Armagh man has been charged with money laundering offences following a series of operations in Northern Ireland and the Republic to tackle an estimated £5 million fuel fraud.
Man charged in connection with fuel fraud
A Co Armagh man has been charged with money laundering offences following a series of operations in Northern Ireland and the Republic to tackle an estimated £5 million fuel fraud.
18 July 2007
Financial Investigators target 'organised crime'.
The PSNI are planning a ‘major new offensive’ aimed at disrupting Northern Ireland’s multi-million pound crime industry. A reinforced team will target criminals in Northern Ireland using over 60 specialist financial investigators covering all eight policing districts.
Financial Investigators target 'organised crime'.
The PSNI are planning a ‘major new offensive’ aimed at disrupting Northern Ireland’s multi-million pound crime industry. A reinforced team will target criminals in Northern Ireland using over 60 specialist financial investigators covering all eight policing districts.
10 February 2022
'We Must Ensure Crime Does Not Pay' - Justice Minister
We need to ensure that serious organised crime does not pay, the Justice Minister Naomi Long has said during her presentation at the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre.
'We Must Ensure Crime Does Not Pay' - Justice Minister
We need to ensure that serious organised crime does not pay, the Justice Minister Naomi Long has said during her presentation at the PSNI Cyber Crime Centre.
05 July 2011
Justice Served As Legislation Updated
The first raft of new justice powers created and debated in Northern Ireland in four decades come into force this week. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has commenced a number of new provisions under the Northern Ireland Justice Act 2011, which secured Assembly approval in March.
Justice Served As Legislation Updated
The first raft of new justice powers created and debated in Northern Ireland in four decades come into force this week. Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has commenced a number of new provisions under the Northern Ireland Justice Act 2011, which secured Assembly approval in March.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy. Also mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
