“We need fresh approaches and solutions.”

Detective Chief Inspector Todd Clements, PSNI

Detective Chief Inspector, Todd Clements from the Organised Crime Branch with the Police Service of Northern Ireland spoke about the elevated problems of managing cross-border organised crime and how the PSNI continue to work in a multi-organisational manner to deter further criminality.

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Detective Chief Inspector Todd Clements from the Organised Crime Branch in the PSNI talked about four key areas the Police Service of Northern Ireland look at.

• Organised crime
• Collaborative working
• Transform the public perception
• Fresh approaches and solutions

They have a structure in place consisting of a stakeholder group, a strategy group and sub expert groups. These are high level groups chaired by the Justice Minister. This role of which is to tackle barriers to co-operation across a number of areas particularly with regard to engagement with the private sector and cross cutting public sector issues. Some of the representatives include the business community, policing board and government.

The strategy group is chaired by the Director of Safer Communities Directorate and comprises of senior people from law enforcement. The key role is directing the work of the subgroups and look at law enforcement agencies response to emerging threats from organised crime gangs. This group works in a number of ways. 

• They work through joint enforcement. Chief Detective Clements highlighted a recent case of suspected human trafficking victims in Belfast. The rescue operation included action from the PSNI in conjunction with UKBA, HMRC, Health service and local care providers.
• They focus on education and awareness, for example school events and business events.
• Legislative issues are put to the legal subgroup for consideration.
• They ensure increased publicity for different problems such as posters for human trafficking, for example the blue blindfold campaign.

Clements finished with identifying what is required to come to a solution. We need collaborative working, we need to transform public perception, and we need fresh approaches and solutions. 

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