Opinion

NCA will make it tough for gangs

THE assembly vote in favour of extending the National Crime Agency to Northern Ireland marks a significant development and comes after the SDLP decided to support the full introduction of the UK-wide organisation. Approval had been delayed while negotiations went on to secure greater accountability.

Although Sinn Féin continues to have reservations, the SDLP declared itself satisfied that all outstanding issues had been addressed.

Both parties were right to demand robust safeguards in terms of the NCA's role in Northern Ireland.

Policing here is subject to rigorous over-sight and accountability and it would have been unthinkable that a crime agency operating in the north had weaker levels of scrutiny or control.

As a result of the negotiations, the Policing Board will have full scrutiny powers over the NCA while the chief constable will have primacy over operations carried out by the agency. The Police Ombudsman also confirmed he will oversee NCA officers working under the chief constable.

In addition, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has issued a letter saying the NCA would not have a counter-terrorism role. Having resolved the crucial issue of accountability, the public will be looking to the agency to deliver results in terms of targeting organised crime.

While this type of activity is perhaps not at the level seen in Britain or the Republic, it is nevertheless a real problem in certain areas.

A raid on a counterfeit cigarette operation on Tuesday was a timely illustration of the lengths criminals are going to in order to make money by illicit means.

Revenue and customs raided a makeshift factory on the outskirts of Dungannon, Co Tyrone, disrupting what they believe was a £10 million enterprise.

Searches took place on both sides of the border and clearly this type of cooperation is central to effectively tackling the issue of tobacco fraud.

The expectation is that once the NCA becomes fully operational, life will become much more difficult for the criminal gangs.