Forces work together to launch Serious Crime Directorate
Essex Police and Kent Police have joined together to form one of
the largest divisions in UK policing dedicated to tackling serious
and organised crime.
Photo: (L-R) ACC Alan Pughsley and Chief Constable of Essex
Police Jim Barker McCardle
The Serious Crime Directorate will see more than 1000 officers
and
staff working together to bring to justice those who cause the most
harm in communities across both counties.
The joint command aims to provide better protection from the harm
this type of crime presents as well as more effective and efficient
service by sharing the resources of both forces.
It has been formed in
response to Government expectations to improve delivery of services
across all police forces in the UK. Acting together means
Essex and Kent Police will be able to provide better value for
money and an enhanced service in the fight against organised crime
groups.
The new directorate will be formed of six departments;
intelligence, major crime, serious and organised crime, forensics
and two covert support groups.
Assistant Chief
Constable Alan Pughsley of Kent Police will head up the new unit
and his second in command will be Detective Chief Superintendent
Gareth Wilson of Essex Police.
ACC Pughsley has been in charge of specialist operations at Kent
Police since April 2009 and is now looking forward to his new
role.
He said: “Serious and organised crime can bring fear and
violence to communities, so it is essential that we do all we can
to prevent it.
“The directorate allows us to work together and share resources
in a way that will benefit greatly the public of Kent and Essex. It
will enhance our capability to continue to tackle serious organised
crime across both counties and to target those who cause most harm
in our communities.”
Det Chief Insp Wilson
has worked for Essex Police for more than 20 years.
“Our collaboration programme between Kent and Essex is extremely
strong and this is another example of how we are working together –
joining our resources to give the communities of Essex and Kent an
even better police service,” he said.
Chief Constable of Essex Police, Jim Barker McCardle, said: “I am
delighted that such talented, committed and experienced senior
officers have been appointed to this new joint command.
"Their experience, expertise, drive and determination will be key
in keeping our communities safe and free from the miseries of
serious and organised crime.”
Chief Constable of Kent Police, Adrian Leppard, added:
“ACC Pughsley is a strong and capable leader who has years of
experience in leading teams tackling serious and organised
crime.
"I have absolute confidence in him to help us build a formidable
crime-fighting force for Essex and Kent.”
