Major Cross-Border Organised Crime Conference held in Belfast

Justice Ministers and law enforcement agencies north and south have come together in Belfast at the annual cross-border conference.

A commitment to continue building on existing cross border partnership arrangements to tackle crime and prevent harm has been made as the conference gets underway, in what is its first visit to Belfast.

Justice Ministers Naomi Long MLA and Jim O’Callaghan TD alongside Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton and Commissioner Drew Harris highlighted how a collaborative and joint approach is thwarting organised crime gangs.

Issues on the agenda include drugs, child criminal exploitation, paramilitaries and cybercrime.

Minister Long said: “Tackling harms caused by organised crime is one of my top priorities and I am encouraged by the effective work being done to address these issues on both sides of the border. A shared and cross-border focus on the harms that our communities suffer at the hands of organised crime gangs is vital.

“Organised criminals are agile and innovative. They find new ways of exploiting people’s vulnerabilities for their own gain, and in turn, we must adapt in our collective response and ensure their actions will not go unchallenged. We all recognise the inextricable link between organised criminality and the particular issue of paramilitary harm that we experience here in Northern Ireland. Such an approach which focuses on harm, rather than its origin, will better place us to address these issues.”

Minister O’Callaghan: “Targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for me as Minister for Justice. Those involved in organised criminality need to know that they will not be allowed to enjoy the profits of their illegal activity and, equally, I want communities to know that this will not be tolerated by society.

“The strong levels of co-operation that exist between the criminal justice agencies on this island is something to be proud of. We’ve seen examples recently where successful cross border co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI has led to arrests in murder cases and to a seizure of a large amount of drugs only in the last week. That collaboration at all levels should send a very clear message to organised criminals that the border is not something that can be exploited for criminal gain.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: “The Cross-Border Conference on Serious and Organised Crime is a testament to the ongoing joint commitment of our officers and colleagues in An Garda Síochána. Together we work with, and rely upon the support of, many partner agencies to tackle crime.

“It’s imperative that we come together to share skills, knowledge and expertise with a focus on keeping people on both sides of the border as safe as we possibly can.  We will continue our work to disrupt organised crime groups who continue to try and exploit the border for their own financial gain.

“This conference affords us a vital opportunity to come together in an ever-changing environment to discuss new and often innovative ways to tackle cross-border crime.”

Speaking at the Cross Border Conference Commissioner Drew Harris, An Garda Síochána said: “The Cross Border Conference provides a valuable opportunity for both police services, Government departments and partner agencies to meet with one another and discuss the common issues we face in tackling cross-border crime.

“As has been highlighted on many occasions, we do know that crime knows no borders, and there are criminal networks who will seek to exploit borders to commit serious crime and devastate our communities.  And so, it takes a network to defeat a network. I firmly believe by working in partnership we can indeed disrupt and dismantle those networks who seek to take advantage of our communities by flouting the law.”

“In building on our partnerships and sharing in the successes and the experiences of others – particularly at events like today’s conference – we strengthen our capabilities. By working side by side, we can do more to tackle criminal networks who seek to exploit the border region, and deliver on our mission of keeping people safe.”

The conference theme is ‘Defeating serious and organised crime through innovation and collaboration’ and aims to build on existing relations between law agencies North and South of the border in the fight against organised crime.