The police Watchdog (HMICFRS) has published its inspection into how effectively and efficiently the Regional Organised Crime Units tackle the threat from serious and organised crime.
Below is the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner’s response. The report can be found here.
The West Midlands Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Waheed Saleem welcomed the police Watchdog’s review of Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs), but said it didn’t go far enough: “I’m deeply concerned the current funding arrangements for ROCUs are so chaotic and poorly thought through that they are limiting the police’s ability to keep us all safe.
“The government often doesn’t tell our Regional Organised Crime Units how much money they will get until months into the financial year. This disrupts recruitment and limits the Unit’s ability to operate as effectively as it can, allowing criminals to get the upper hand.
“These policing units, that work across county borders, are trying to keep guns and drugs off our streets, prevent money from being laundered and crack down on online fraud.
“However unless they have clear political leadership and funding is allocated in advance and across multiple years then I’m afraid their effectiveness will always be diminished.”
