​​Serious organised crime: How you can help to crack it

Everyone who lives and works in Aberdeenshire has a role to play.

Have you ever come across something that seems ‘dodgy’ but you’re not very sure? Do you sometimes have concerns when you’re out and about through your work but there’s no immediate threat to anyone’s safety? Are you unsure of who you’d tell about a criminal issue that doesn’t impact any vulnerable people but is worrying none-the-less?

As Detective Sergeant Brian Cumming explains: “Trust your gut instinct: it’s usually right. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is – and the worst part is that someone is usually being exploited as a result of it.”

If you notice anything untoward, no matter how small, email dionortheast@scotland.pnn.police.uk

The intelligence gathered by Brian’s team can all contribute towards painting a bigger picture of what’s happening across Aberdeenshire and ensuring further investigation takes place where necessary. All information provided will be treated with the strictest confidence.

What do we mean by serious organised crime?

• Serious Organised Crime Groups (SOCGs) involve two or more people who are often involved in multiple crime types, including: drugs, violence, cigarette smuggling, tax fraud, money laundering, organised immigration crime, human trafficking, organised theft, bogus workmen, counterfeit good and cybercrime.
• SOCGs can be involved in seemingly legitimate businesses. These are often cash-based businesses such as pubs, takeaways, taxis, hairdressers and nail bars.
• Around 11% of Scotland’s 196 identified serious organised crime groups (SOCGs) operate in our area.

How does serious organised crime impact on our communities?

• SOCGs prey on the most vulnerable, including the elderly and young people, and sometimes take over their homes to use them as a base for criminal activities.

• Businesses related to SOCGs take income away from legitimate enterprises, and that income is often dispersed out with Aberdeenshire to fund further criminal activities.
• SOCGs have little interest in the environment and often dispose of dangerous materials indiscriminately.

Let’s help to stop SOCGs getting a foothold within our communities. Please use the dionortheast@scotland.pnn.police.uk to inform Brian’s team about anything relating to SOCGs you may be aware of or notice in future. Remember, however, if you see something that requires immediate police attendance, call 999 or continue to use 101 to report non-emergency issues.

More information about Scotland’s Organised Crime Strategy is available at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00509064.pdf