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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thousands of Scots in organised crime groups | Thousands of Scots in organised crime groups |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| There are 3,400 people in Scotland involved in organised crime groups, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has been told. | |
| Members of the authority heard the crime groups are organised in the same way as legitimate business. | |
| It is estimated serious organised crime costs the Scottish economy £2bn a year. | It is estimated serious organised crime costs the Scottish economy £2bn a year. |
| But a report by Police Scotland said its impact goes far beyond monetary value. | But a report by Police Scotland said its impact goes far beyond monetary value. |
| Specialist officers have said much of the crime is associated with the drugs trade, including importation and supply. | Specialist officers have said much of the crime is associated with the drugs trade, including importation and supply. |
| But crime groups are also involved in fraud, money laundering and immigration crime. | But crime groups are also involved in fraud, money laundering and immigration crime. |
| In the report to the SPA, Police Scotland identified 227 groups categorised as being active in serious criminal activities. | In the report to the SPA, Police Scotland identified 227 groups categorised as being active in serious criminal activities. |
| A third (33.1%) have access to firearms and a quarter (26.1%) have been involved in acts of violence. | A third (33.1%) have access to firearms and a quarter (26.1%) have been involved in acts of violence. |
| The report said organised crime groups (OCGs) are extremely sophisticated, with staff described as "nominals." | The report said organised crime groups (OCGs) are extremely sophisticated, with staff described as "nominals." |
| "They have 'chairpersons', security managers, accountants and logistics officers," it said. | "They have 'chairpersons', security managers, accountants and logistics officers," it said. |
| "Like many other businesses, there are times when OCGs engage in takeovers in order to gain access to potentially viable markets. | "Like many other businesses, there are times when OCGs engage in takeovers in order to gain access to potentially viable markets. |
| "Some of these takeovers involve a number of OCGs coming together in a 'merger' in order to strengthen their footprint within a selected market. | "Some of these takeovers involve a number of OCGs coming together in a 'merger' in order to strengthen their footprint within a selected market. |
| "However, unfortunately sometimes these takeovers are hostile which can cause significant fear and intimidation within our communities." | "However, unfortunately sometimes these takeovers are hostile which can cause significant fear and intimidation within our communities." |
| Commonwealth Games | Commonwealth Games |
| Police Scotland has warned the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 may provide money-making opportunities for OCGs. | Police Scotland has warned the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 may provide money-making opportunities for OCGs. |
| It urged public sector bodies to tighten procedures when awarding contracts. | It urged public sector bodies to tighten procedures when awarding contracts. |
| Police Scotland said it believed its work in seizing drugs and disrupting organised crime businesses was ahead of targets. | Police Scotland said it believed its work in seizing drugs and disrupting organised crime businesses was ahead of targets. |
| It was set a target of seizing assets worth at least £47m through Proceeds of Crime legislation. | It was set a target of seizing assets worth at least £47m through Proceeds of Crime legislation. |
| By the beginning of this month, seizures had totalled £70m, which was being reinvested in communities through a variety of sporting, cultural, educational and mentoring activities for young people in all 32 Scottish local authority areas. | By the beginning of this month, seizures had totalled £70m, which was being reinvested in communities through a variety of sporting, cultural, educational and mentoring activities for young people in all 32 Scottish local authority areas. |
| Since April 2013, Police Scotland said it had arrested or reported 1,787 SOC "nominals," with an annual target set at 2,800. | Since April 2013, Police Scotland said it had arrested or reported 1,787 SOC "nominals," with an annual target set at 2,800. |