New crime fighting agency launched in Britain to tackle serious, organised crime

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/new-crime-fighting-agency/842426.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

A new crime fighting agency has been launched in Britain, bringing together several separate agencies under one roof to tackle serious and organised crime.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has been compared to America's FBI.

For the first time, the agency has the power to direct police forces within the UK and has promised to work closely with similar agencies overseas to tackle international criminal gangs.

The NCA will take on organised crime, economic crime, cybercrime, child exploitation and border policing.

NCA chiefs said the agency will operate according to British priorities and are stressing the need to work alongside existing police both in the UK and overseas.

This grouping together of existing agencies, including the child protection and online privacy service will not mean any more funding, leading opposition lawmakers to claim it is simply a rebranding exercise.

However, government ministers insist the more joined up intelligence and streamlined policing will allow the force to do more on the same budget.

The NCA will have 4,500 officers, 120 of whom will be based overseas.

While budgets will inevitably be tight, there are plans to beef up the number of officers in the South East Asia region.

The NCA said it is sending a powerful message to criminals that it will relentlessly pursue organised gangs not only here in Britain, but around the world.