Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by John Robertson (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 24 May 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Organised Crime

Question: I thank my hon. Friend for his answer and congratulate him and the Organised Crime Task Force on their work. The Organised Crime Task Force report of 2005 stated that the statistics show that loyalists and republicans are moving from sectarianism into organised crime. It said:"““of the gangs identified in last year’s Threat Assessment, 70% remain active””." That did not include the splinter groups or the new gangs that came into the picture. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is fundamental for police groups and community groups to work together to ensure that the trend goes downwards, not upwards?

Answer: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I know that he has a particular interest in the matter and that he has been very supportive of the relevant legislation. He is quite right that, if organised crime is taking place in order to line the pockets of organised criminal gangs or to fund paramilitary activity, those people need to know that the full force of the law will be brought to bear against them and that the agencies will work together to ensure that organised crime in Northern Ireland is combated.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 446 c1466
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Crime prevention Northern Ireland Organised crime Task forces Gangs
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk