North's business chiefs urged to help beat racketeers

Business leaders in the North were today urged to help police mount a new offensive on racketeers plundering millions from Northern Ireland’s economy.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton told heads of commerce his officers needed their help to halt money laundering, fraud, counterfeiting and fuel smuggling scams.

He said: “The business community have played an important and active role in working to assist peace and stability here and there is a need for that work to continue.

“There is also an onus on business representatives and leaders to engage with the police either through District Policing Partnerships, the Policing Board or through their own representative bodies.

“This year police have met representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses, and the Chamber of Commerce.

“It is only through partnership with all members of the community that the police will be able to continue to prevent crime and drive down crime figures here.”

Mr Leighton stressed how the North has less crime than other similar sized regions in the UK, with further reductions expected.

Despite less attacks on pensioners, reduced thefts from cars and break-ins, the Deputy Chief Constable insisted police were not complacent.

The force’s Crime Operations Department, established last year, has made big progress in dealing with organised criminality, he said.

Mr Leighton added: “Some recent successes include significant seizures of drugs and counterfeit goods, the disruption of a number of robberies and arrests for money laundering and illegal waste operations.

“While communities demand an exceptionally high standard of service from their police service – and rightly so, they also have a responsibility to work with and assist police in preventing and solving crime.

“Policing with the community is increasingly the focus of our efforts, and as we move forward there will be even greater opportunities for the business community to work in partnership with the police service.

“We will welcome and look forward to any such approaches so that together we can make Northern Ireland safer for all.”