Organised crime is 'chronic and corrosive' as National Crime Agency makes plea for funding

The NCA warned organised gangs commit a multitude of crimes, dominate communities and chase profits Credit: PA

Serious and organised crime in Britain is “chronic and corrosive”, with significant new investment needed in law enforcement to combat it, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.

The agency will launch its annual national strategic assessment (NSA) on Tuesday, which exposes how organised criminals are exploiting advances in technology.

Adopting new methods, and using these alongside old-style violence, organised criminals commit a multitude of crimes, dominate communities and chase profits, the NSA will show.

“People should understand that serious and organised crime kills more of our citizens every year than terrorism, war and natural disasters combined,” NCA director general Lynne Owens said ahead of the NSA launch.

“It is chronic and corrosive, and the message needs to be heard by everyone.

“Against a backdrop of globalisation, extremism and technological advances, serious and organised crime is changing fast and law enforcement needs significant new investment to help combat it.

“This is the most comprehensive assessment we have ever produced and describes in detail the growing and ever-changing nature of the threat posed by serious and organised crime – to individuals, to communities and to wider society.”

Organised crime kills more people than terrorism, war and natural disasters combined. Credit: PA

The NSA draws on information and intelligence from sources across law enforcement, as well as many public and private sector organisations, the NCA said.

The launch will feature McMafia author Misha Glenny, who will chair a panel of speakers including Mrs Owens, National Police Chiefs Council lead for serious and organised crime and Merseyside Police chief constable Andy Cooke, and NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless.

According to the NCA, the event will reveal the changing nature of organised crime and its wholesale undermining of Britain’s economy, integrity, infrastructure and institutions.