Serious and Organised Crime
Serious and organised crime affects more people in the UK, more often, than any other national security threat. It leads to more deaths in the UK each year than all other national security threats combined, including terrorism. It costs the country at least £37 billion every year.
While serious and organised crime is an international issue, it has a massive impact here in Bedfordshire. The county’s population, demographics and transport links mean organised crime has a bigger impact here than it does in similar sized areas.
A major piece of police research with their partners estimates that more than £100 million is spent on cocaine and cannabis in the county every year.
Almost 400 victims of modern slavery were identified in Bedfordshire last year – the fifth highest of any police force area in England and Wales, that’s more than were identified in places such as Merseyside.
Organised crime is the driver for many other crime types, even if people do not recognise it at first.
Most firearms discharges in Bedfordshire are linked to the illegal drugs trade, as are many stabbings and other incidents of serious youth violence.
Anti-social behaviour is often by driven by illegal drugs, while many burglaries and incidents of shoplifting are either committed by organised crime groups or by people with addiction issues who steal in order to buy drugs.
We are increasingly seeing organised crime groups involved in fraud targeting our communities. Bedfordshire Police is also running a major operation targeting organised crime in Luton, establishing how these groups are involved in things like money laundering and widespread benefit fraud.
Tackling organised crime is everyone’s business. If we can stop organised crime, all of our communities would be a lot safer.
Serious & Organised Crime
Serious and organised crime affects more people in the UK, more often, than any other national security threat. It leads to more deaths in the UK each year than all other national security threats combined, including terrorism.
Signs to spot
- Wealth and expensive possessions can be an indicator of involvement in organised crime, especially if this is beyond what someone could reasonably pay for
- Those involved in organised crime will often have multiple phones, or specialist phones that are encrypted. These phones will look similar but slightly different to normal phones
- Criminal networks tend to deal in cash, so large amounts of cash can be indicator. Also look out for luxury items such as jewellery or clothes which can be purchased with cash
- People involved in organised crime will often hide weapons in their homes
- Many criminal gangs will use businesses or financial services to hide or launder their money
Operation Costello is the Bedfordshire Police enforcement response to serious and organised crime in Bedfordshire. This dedicated team is working around the clock to target those involved in large scale drug dealing, modern slavery and weapons offences to keep our communities safe.
So far offenders have put behind bars for more than 300 years thanks to Costello investigations since it launched in the spring of 2020. If you have concerns that someone might be involved in serious and organised crime – and the violence and exploitation that comes with it – speak out and police will intervene.