Anti-DVD piracy unit promises crackdown

A new police unit dedicated to combating film piracy and the organised criminal networks sustaining the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit film product was launched today by the Metropolitan Police’s Economic and Specialist Crime Command, in partnership with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

The Unit will investigate individuals and organisations accruing sizeable criminal profits from film piracy using the Proceeds Of Crime Act 2002.

With the assistance of FACT, the UK film and broadcast industry’s anti-piracy organisation, the dedicated police unit will collate intelligence on crime trends and criminal activity in the area of film piracy.

Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, Specialist Crime Directorate, said: “Today’s partnership launch with FACT provides us with a welcome opportunity to concentrate on an area of criminality which is often regarded as victimless. As film piracy is often linked to other criminal activity, by dismantling the organised criminal networks (OCN) involved, together we can reduce the negative impact it has on the communities of London.”

The Film Piracy Unit will be committed to the targeted investigation of these networks and, wherever possible will seek the successful prosecution of and/or the confiscation of goods and seizure of assets.

Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Mawer, Head of Economic and Specialist Crime Command and the officer in overall charge of the unit said: “By applying the legislation available to us under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 the dedicated officers will seek not only to dismantle the OCN concerned in this area of criminality, but also to deprive those involved of the assets derived from their criminal activity. This will clearly send a message that this type of crime will not pay.”

Raymond Leinster, FACT Director General, said: “The formation of the Metropolitan Police’s Film Piracy Unit is a unique development and will assist FACT’s capacity to address and confront the threats from the organised networks which are making significant profits from film piracy.”

Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: “The Met’s new Film Piracy Unit, launched in partnership with the Federation Against Copyright Theft, is another excellent example of cooperation between the police and business to tackle crime.

“Film piracy is not only damaging to legitimate film manufacture and distribution, it can also contribute to wider organised criminal activities which bring harm to our society.

“This new unit will cut crime and deliver justice by not only dismantling the criminal networks behind film piracy but also by using the Proceeds of Crime Act to take away their profits, making it clear that crime does not pay.”

If members of the public have information on this type of criminality and wish to remain anonymous, they should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(GB/SP)