Member Article

£1m government funding to create North East crime-fighting facility

The government is investing £1m to create a new crime-fighting facilitiy in the region, helping the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) by bringing multiple law enforcement agencies under one roof.

The new Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) premises will provide the police with a new headquarters to base themselves from as they tackle serious and organised crime.

Specialist teams from Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland police forces, the National Crime Agency (NCA), and other law enforcement partners will now work under one hub leading the region’s response to a range of threats.

The new facilities will significantly enhance the region’s existing capabilities, as the agencies tackle crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, organised illegal immigration, firearms, high value fraud, cyber crime, child sexual exploitation and terrorism.

The new shared ROCU headquarters will enable greater intelligence sharing, a stronger collaboration between the different law enforcement agencies and the ability to take on more complex investigations.

The £1m investment will also provide the capability for further specialist work that includes surveillance operations, e-forensic investigations, asset confiscation enforcement, fraud and prison intelligence.

And the new space will also enable the ROCU to expand in the future, as additional resources are required to tackle the threats being faced.

Northumbria Chief Constable Steve Ashman said: “The Home Office funding will be crucial in helping us maintain the Regional Organised Crime Unit and will provide the officers within it a suitable base to continue the excellent work they deliver.

“Tackling organised crime is a priority for the region and all 3 forces work together with other agencies to help prevent organised gangs and criminals travelling through our region to commit crime.”

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