Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson, has said he has serious concerns about the implications of the National Crime Agency (NCA) not being fully operational in Northern Ireland. Mr Nicholson, Coordinator on the European Parliament’s Special Committee on Organised Crime, Corruption and Money Laundering (CRIM) for the ECR Group, said the nature of modern organised crime and its ability to rapidly evolve meant that a lack of consistent powers across the UK would be exploited by criminals.
Mr Nicholson said: “Being a member of CRIM in the European Parliament has very clearly highlighted the fact that organised crime is a highly sophisticated, professional, global network with the ability to adapt and exploit any gaps which exist.’
“The evidence presented to the Committee by a range of experts from right across the EU has also clearly highlighted the impact of organised crime, both to society as a whole and on the lives of individual victims.’
“Sinn Fein and the SDLP, who have both opposed the NCA being fully operational in Northern Ireland, must realise the very real human cost of organised crime. Opposing a consistent, UK-wide approach to combatting the work of organised criminals ignores the reality of modern organised crime.”