A report highlighting difficulties in tackling serious and organised crime in police forces across the East Midlands has been published. It follows an inspection held by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which reviewed the performance of the regional unit, a partnership of five regional police forces including Nottinghamshire Police.
The findings, which were published on Thursday, March 2, revealed that police's East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) is 'inadequate' in tackling serious and organised crime. It states that the force is 'overly' focused on traditional threats.
The force welcomed the scrutiny, with Regional Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Mayo commenting: “Being found ‘inadequate’ at tackling serious and organised crime is of course not a badge we wish to wear any longer than is necessary, as it is not reflective of the high standard of work that our officers and staff deliver, rather a comment on the way we are funded and resourced."
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Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has recently taken over as regional lead for serious organised crime (SOC) with East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit (EMSOU), aiming to enhance partnership working in the region. She said she accepts "progress needs to be made to make this collaboration work to its full potential".
PCC Henry added: “The partnership will continue to get stronger and we will work together, innovatively, to protect the communities of the East Midlands.”
Inspectors judged Nottinghamshire Police as 'adequate' in tackling serious and organised crime - however they highlighted areas for improvement. The report stated that the force "should make sure that its serious and organised crime (SOC) task force has enough staff to meet SOC demand".
It comes as at the time of the inspection, 10 of the 33 posts in the SOC task force were vacant. Inspectors said this "was seriously undermining the effectiveness of the team’s approach to tackling SOC".
Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, has expressed her concerns over the overall rating of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, while also urging that improvements must be made by the force in Nottinghamshire. She added: "Organised crime groups do serious damage to communities, preying on vulnerable people and using violence and intimidation to carry out their activities. While Nottinghamshire Police has been rated adequate for its work in this area, it is clear that improvements must also be made. It is also concerning that the wider East Midlands Special Operations Unit has been rated inadequate.
"But the failure to tackle serious and organised crime more widely must also be laid at the door of this government. The Tories are failing not only to crack down on violent criminals, but to safeguard young people at risk of exploitation. Alongside a more effective law enforcement response, we need more mental health professionals, mentors and youth workers to support and protect young people."
The inspection into Nottinghamshire Police also found evidence of criminal assets not being seized or being inappropriately returned to suspects because of "insufficient storage facilities". Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police said he always welcomed HMICFRS inspections, adding: "This report is no exception and has provided us with the platform to develop our action plan, which the new Chief Constable is confident will enhance our offer in relation to serious organised crime and ensure continuing improvements."
He said that the serious organised crime is a "priority", adding that in 2020, the force has expanded its Operation Reacher offer to provide 12 teams across the city and county to disrupt and dismantle criminal groups. ACC Griffin continued: “Our achievements include more than 2,000 arrests, 4,000 stop searches and 500 search warrants executed.
"This has ensured that drugs and weapons are taken off the streets and offenders are put behind bars. Overall, it ensures our communities can live in peace without the disruption of those who wish to make an illegal living through crime."
The force has been commended for being one of a few forces that have sought a gang injunction with the local authority, to limit the behaviour of known gang members. ACC Griffin added: “Over the last year we have continued to invest in our serious organised crime department and have recruited into many of our specialist roles."
He continued: “We are also heavily committed to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking. One example is Operation Pintail, which saw the arrest and prosecution of eight individuals involved in this type of criminal exploitation. The operation also resulted in the seizure of significant criminal assets including multiple properties.
“I was pleased to see that the report praised our partnership approach to serious organised crime because this is not something we can solve by ourselves. Using early diversionary tactics, alongside a multitude of partners, we have been able to prevent people from being drawn into serious organised crime including safeguarding vulnerable people who may have been groomed, exploited, or coerced into committing crime."
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