Modern crime is no longer simply a matter for the local police, as national and international organised crime groups continue to network across the globe and carry out a huge proportion of criminal acts. As a result, criminal intelligence gathering must be done on a global scale to compete with the professional criminal networks. This is the role played by the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS).NCIS is an umbrella organisation providing strategic intelligence on serious and organised crime to law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally. NCIS defines an organised crime group as satisfying the following criteria :
- <LI class=bullet2>Contains at least three people <LI class=bullet2>Criminal activity is prolonged or indefinite <LI class=bullet2>Criminals are motivated by profit or power
- Serious criminal offences are being committed
How does NCIS operate?
NCIS is a multi-agency organisation employing staff directly and seconding staff from over 25 partner agencies such as HM Immigration Service, the Inland Revenue, UK Passport Agency, HM Customs and Excise, Medicines Control Agency, Financial Services Authority and regional police forces. With headquarters in London, five regional offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and Wakefield, and a satellite office in Belfast, the NCIS can analyse localised information with national and international awareness.
The regional offices are managed by the UK Division of NCIS, which also includes a specific Scottish/Irish Liaison Unit based in London. The International Division of NCIS incorporates the UK National Central Bureau of Interpol, the UK Europol National Unit, the UK European Drug Liaison Officer network, the UK Immigration Officer network and hosts foreign liaison officers.
