NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY IN SCOTLAND PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Chair welcomed Director General Graeme Biggar (GBiggar) to the meeting, who provided an overview of the main responsibilities of the NCA: leading the UK response to serious and organised crime, investigating the highest harm offenders, and to provide specialist capabilities to law enforcement organisations.
GBiggar detailed how the threat level is assessed and advised that the National Strategic Assessment 2022 showed serious organised crime was increasing due to geo-political position, technology advances, and the impact of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Members heard the emerging trends are: the evolution of cyber-crime, increase in synthetic opioids and increase in 3D printed firearms. The NCA’s response is through the National Control Strategy and associated strategic action plan. The National Strategic Tasking meeting includes Police Scotland and analyses progress and sets targets.
GBiggar summarised the disruption statistics detailed within the paper, highlighting the focus is on significant disruptions. Members heard the impact in Scotland is not restricted to disruptions within Scotland but nationally and internationally. GBiggar provided examples of international disruptions relating to drugs intent for the UK.
GBiggar told Members the NCA assessed that the number of people thought to hold a sexual risk to children was 680,000 - 830,000. Whilst geographical locations are unknown, a pro-rata estimate for Scotland was 70,000-87,000. Members heard online use had exacerbated the problem, increasing the threat.
GBiggar praised Police Scotland on their use of Naloxone, noting their experience and lessons learned was being used to encourage further roll out in England and Wales. GBiggar concluded by stating the Police Scotland are one of NCA’s most important partners and he hoped the NCA played a part in decreasing demand.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• The Chair requested the NCA report annually to the Authority and twice yearly to the Policing Performance Committee. The Chair noted the Authority want to hold the NCA to account in a transparent and proportionate way, to understand it’s added value and impact, whilst receiving third party assurance of Police Scotland’s work.
• Members sought comment on the NCA’s work on corruption and heard examples of NCA’s work internationally. GBiggar stated that domestically, the biggest focus of corruption was at the border, and advised Members that work into corruption within Local Government and planning authorities was led by the National Investigation Service.
• Members sought comment on what added value the NCA brings to Scotland’s capability to deal with fraud. GBiggar responded that online fraud grew during the pandemic and whilst it has decreased slightly, it is still high. Statistics and reports into action fraud have shown numbers have stabilised, in part due to the NCA Strategic Action Plan which joins public sector and private sector organisations to tackle fraud. The work is pro-active, and intelligence led, and the NCA can contribute resource to help investigate complex crimes.
• Members questioned whether there any barriers to establishing close collaboration between law enforcement and private sector organisations. GBiggar confirmed relationships with the financial sector and telecommunication companies are strong. Effective fraud responses from financial organisations have meant techniques have moved into social media, so collaborative work with the technology sector is growing.
• Members heard organisational learning between NCA and Police Scotland is two way and provides shared benefits.
• Members questioned how the NCA can keep ahead of fraud and heard the NCA have specialist experts whose role is to disrupt. GBiggar acknowledged support from technology companies can be challenging but work continues to improve.
• DCCConnors detailed the positive impact from the NCA working within the Scottish Crime Campus, which centred around fast time discussion and sharing of capabilities. DCCConnors informed Members of the City of London Police Peer Review on fraud crime and how work to address recommendations was ongoing, as well as progress with the Abertay University Professional Reference Group. Members received assurance that intelligence from NCA and joint collaborative working contributes to Police Scotland’s detection work against fraud and child abuse.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.