National Crime Agency
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NCA fully operational in Northern Ireland
The NCA yesterday became fully operational in Northern Ireland as the remaining provisions in the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (National Crime Agency and Proceeds of Crime) (Northern Ireland) Order 2015 have come into force.
The NCA Director General and the Minister for Justice in NI have signed a general authorisation, which gives designated NCA officers the authority to exercise the ‘powers and privileges’ of a Northern Ireland constable.
The development also extends the NCA’s ability to recover criminal assets including the recovery of assets overseas in civil recovery cases.
The Order includes measures to ensure the arrangements respect the primacy of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for policing in Northern Ireland.
Full arrangements can be found here.
NCA Director General Keith Bristow said: “We have consistently said the National Crime Agency is committed to protecting the people of Northern Ireland against serious and organised criminals, as we do in the rest of the UK. Now with the legislative process complete in Northern Ireland we will work with our PSNI and law enforcement colleagues and get on with doing our duty".
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said: “I welcome the additional capacity and expertise which the NCA will bring to Northern Ireland to help police officers keep people safe. As the NCA becomes fully operational, we will be working closely with our new colleagues to ensure opportunities are maximised to tackle serious and organised crime and apprehend offenders. At the same time, I will ensure that the accountability arrangements being agreed with the Policing Board are factored into every aspect of operational activity to deliver both public confidence and community safety.”
