Information

In January 2024, the then Home Secretary commissioned HMICFRS to inspect how effectively the police and National Crime Agency tackle organised immigration crime (OIC) in England and Wales.

During their inspection, they examined:

– how the response of law enforcement agencies to OIC was led;
– the initial response to suspected immigration crime incidents;
– the management of information and intelligence;
– how OIC groups were targeted by law enforcement; and
– organisational learning and training for officers and staff.

In this report, HMICFRS make ten recommendations. They are designed to improve how UK law enforcement agencies identify and tackle the organised crime groups responsible for immigration crime.

PFCC Response

Tackling organised immigration crime represents a far-reaching challenge for policing across England and Wales, a fact that is recognised in this report. The Commissioner agrees that is important for police forces to understand the local threat of immigration crime and provide
sufficient operational capability to address it.

The Commissioner was reassured that HMICFRS have reported that most frontline police personnel knew what to do when dealing with immigration crime incidents and that the national response to OIC has improved, however further improvements could be made. The Commissioner was also pleased that Northamptonshire Police were praised for their efforts in disrupting OIC which is to be welcomed given the county’s location in relation to the UK’s road network

The Commissioner notes both the contents and observations, within the report, as well as the recommendations that relate to Chief Constables and she supports all the recommendations in the inspection report.

The Commissioner has made arrangements as a part of her assurance processes for the holding to account of the Chief Constable to seek reassurances from him on a number of fronts on matters that are raised as a part of the report.

In particular these relate to the following:

• Every time a member Northamptonshire Police reports a case to Immigration Enforcement’s National Command and Control Unit, the reporting officer completes and submits the required intelligence document.
• By 31 December 2025, the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police should make sure the force has clear plans to collect, analyse and share information related to organised immigration crime.
• By 30 April 2026, the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, working with the Modern Slavery & Organised Immigration Crime Unit, should make sure that relevant personnel complete the Hydra training package on organised immigration crime.
• By 30 April 2026, the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, working with the Modern Slavery & Organised Immigration Crime Unit and the College of Policing, should make sure that relevant personnel complete the four modules of the organised immigration crime e-learning package