Ministers revise serious and organised crime strategy

The Scottish Government has revised and updated its strategy to combat serious organised crime.

Increased collaboration will see the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce set priorities for action following analysis of the latest threat assessment. Ministers believe this will give partner organisations the flexibility to respond quickly to changing threats. 

They are claiming significant recent successes for Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency, working with agencies in Scotland, the UK and internationally, particularly through the UK-wide Operation Venetic, and Scottish Operation Barricade which has seen the removal of firearms and significant quantities of illegal drugs from the streets, alongside a number of arrests.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Keith Brown commented: "Our multi-partnership approach has delivered notable successes, but there is more to be done.

"This updated strategy puts the emphasis firmly on identifying the key threats and putting our response to those threats at the heart of our efforts. We will have the greatest chance of success if everyone in Scotland plays their part in continuing to disrupt serious organised crime groups to reduce the harm they cause to our communities."