MPA calls for closer partnership working to fight organised immigration crime

09/04
16 February 2004

Richard Sumray, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority Planning, Performance and Review Committee, speaking after the meeting on Thursday 12 February, said:

"The current multi-agency strategy to counter organised immigration crime, Operation Maxim, is highly effective. The next step is to build on the working practices and successes of Maxim by forging closer working protocols with Immigration Services and partner agencies.

“The MPS Serious Crime Group, Territorial Policing Group and all related agencies, including the recently announced national Serious and Organised Crime Agency, need to form a pool of integrated intelligence and detection to fight organised immigration crime effectively.

“The MPS has already established a partnership model with the Criminal Justice System, where joint working was developed to make the judicial process more effective. Closer working relationships between the MPS and the CPS has led to improvements in the judicial process and closer inter-agency co-operation, even bringing about a cultural change.

“The MPS and partner agencies need to work towards the same appropriate objectives, not separate agendas. With director level co-operation in place to resolve issues and barriers, strategic co-ordination can be put in place. This will prevent missed opportunities arising, where linked offences are not followed up.

“The MPS Territorial Policing Group’s ‘on the ground’ knowledge of community issues is an equally vital link in this co-ordinated approach. London’s communities most linked to these issues will be encouraged to work together with police against organised immigration crime.

“The MPA fully endorses this multi agency approach to tackle these highly sensitive and volatile issues. Successful policing of these crimes can only be attained by working with partner agencies towards one goal and with the co-operation of London’s vulnerable communities.”

Notes to editors

Background

1. Phase 1: Operation MAXIM, the pilot stage, began in March 2003 with a scoping study on the extent of organised immigration crime in London and early operations generated 46 arrests,15 for serious crime, and UK Immigration Service (UKIS) removed 31 people as illegal entrants to the UK.

2. Phase 2: the establishment of MAXIM as a co-ordinated pan-MPS programme involving the dedicated joint-agency (MPS and UKIS) Proactive Team UK Passport Service (UKPS) and Immigration and Nationality Directorate Intelligence Service (INDIS). MAXIM is also acting as a clearinghouse for enforcement activity involving other units of the MPS, focusing on Level 1 and 2 organised immigration crimes including:

• Human Trafficking (SO Heathrow Enforcement Unit);
• Vice and Prostitution (CO14 Clubs and Vice);
• Identity and Document Fraud (SCD6 Economic Crime Unit);
• Child Exploitation (SCD5 Child Protection Unit); and
• Money Laundering through 'cash priority’ businesses (SCD6).

3. Results for the Proactive Team during Phase 2:

• 46 Proactive operations;
• 102 Arrests [Total including Phase 1 = 148];
• 23 People charged;
• 24 Cautioned;
• 21 People removed from UK [Total including Phase 1 = 53];
• 8 Sought Asylum after arrest;
• 207 Forged, stolen or counterfeit passports seized;
• 118 Other forged, stolen or counterfeit UK identity documents seized;
• 80 Non-UK identity documents seized;
• 52 Stolen or Counterfeit Immigration Stamps seized;
• 19 Computers seized;
• £ 153,573 Proceeds of Crime Act cash seizures;
• £ 12,237 Cash forfeited;
• £ 150,000 Confiscated; and
• £1,100,000.00 [In assets awaiting restraint].

Full details of Operation Maxim can be found on the MPA website 

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback