Clear, Hold, Build: The new police crackdown on crime gangs
ÂŁ2 million is being invested to help stop criminal gangs
After successful trials in seven parts of the country, a new plan to tackle serious organised crime is going to be rolled out across England and Wales.
The ÂŁ2million plan is being dubbed Clear, Hold, Build.
The plan is that officers will clear gang members from crime hotspots, hold control of the area to stop other criminals taking over, and then with other agencies help build the area to keep crime down.
The Home Office says forces which have been piloting the new strategy have already been seeing early signs of success – with West Yorkshire police reporting a significant drop in burglaries, drug offences and antisocial behaviour in its pilot area.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Taking out these gangs will prevent violence, stem the flow of harmful drugs poisoning our communities and cut down on anti-social behaviour.
“That will, in turn, create a brighter future for young people in those areas.”
Consultation on new laws
Laws around encrypted mobile phones could be tightened up under plans being considered by the Home Office.
Proposals being put out for public consultation on Tuesday include a new offence of the making, modification, supply, offer to supply and possession of articles where there is strong suspicion they are being used for serious crime.
These include bespoke encrypted phones, pill presses, digital templates for the 3D printing of guns and hidden compartments used in cars to transport illegal drugs.
Drug dealing gangs have been known to use encrypted phones to avoid being arrested.
A massive international sting in 2020 targeted the Encrochat network, used by thousands of criminals who were unaware the system had been hacked by law enforcement.
The system featured disappearing messages and secret codes to wipe phones if a criminal found themselves arrested.
Since the network was brought down, more than 2,800 suspects have been arrested in the UK.
National Crime Agency director general, Graeme Biggar, said: “It is vital that we can disrupt the criminals seeking to use specialist technology and other customised products to manufacture and conceal drugs and firearms, share child abuse images or plan people smuggling activity.
“UK law enforcement bodies must also be able to use the full range of legislative tools to prevent serious and organised crime, and deter the perpetrators.”
The plans under consultation also include beefing up Serious Crime Prevention orders, civil measures that put restrictions in place to stop reoffending, allowing courts to make them even where defendants are found not guilty.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman also said she would propose tighter gun laws if it becomes necessary.