Specialist law enforcement officers targeting organized crime have played a crucial role in apprehending over one thousand suspected sexual predators, as disclosed today. Employing strategies typically used to capture criminal kingpins, authorities have successfully arrested 1,393 individuals involved in child exploitation and domestic violence, resulting in safeguarding 1,351 children and sentencing offenders to a total of 1,487 years in prison.

Regional organized crime units (ROCUs) have expanded their focus beyond drug trafficking, violence, money laundering, and firearms offenses to prioritize the protection of vulnerable individuals in society. Notable cases include the conviction of Declan Sains, 28, who received an eight-year, three-month prison sentence for engaging in sexual communication with a child and other related offenses.

Reflecting on these achievements, Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst emphasized the evolving nature of organized crime, with offenders increasingly utilizing digital platforms to target vulnerable individuals. He highlighted the ROCUs’ adaptability in developing specialized skills, technology, and intelligence capabilities to ensure community safety.

Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, the NPCC lead for national Serious and Organized Crime (SOC), underscored the importance of recognizing vulnerability in criminal investigations and safeguarding victims from exploitation. She praised the effectiveness of ROCU tactics in combating SOC and expressed confidence in their contribution to combating violence against women, girls, and online exploitation.

Since their establishment in 2013, ROCUs have grown into a national network comprising approximately 4,000 officers and staff. Collaborating closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA), these units have made significant strides in arresting suspects, securing prison sentences, protecting individuals, and seizing illegal substances and firearms. The latest statistics reveal the arrest of 4,363 suspects, the securing of 7,242 years of prison sentences, and the protection of numerous children and adults from criminal activities. Additionally, law enforcement has confiscated a substantial amount of firearms, ammunition, cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, contributing to the disruption of criminal networks.

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