National Crime Agency to 'relentlessly pursue' organised crime.
A new body to tackle some of the UK's most serious crimes has been launched.
Labelled the "British FBI", the National Crime Agency (NCA) will "relentlessly pursue" organised criminals, the home secretary said.
Theresa May told the BBC it would focus on organised, economic and cyber crime, border policing and child protection.
It will replace a number of existing bodies but will have significantly less funding. Labour has called the move a "rebranding exercise".
It is the third time since 1998 that an organised crime body has been set up.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24418847
New National Crime Agency chief urges Theresa May to stick with Europol.
The head of the new National Crime Agency has urged the home secretary not to strip British police of crucial capabilities for fighting organised crime by withdrawing from the Europe-wide police unit that tackles international gangs.
Keith Bristow, who leads the £450m agency, which launches on Monday, faces one of his greatest political battles in persuading Theresa May to keep Britain in Europol. Bristow, who has promised that his 5,000 NCA agents will "instill fear" into organised criminals, faces the prospect of his new FBI-style agency being left in a power vacuum if May goes ahead with the withdrawal.
Ministers fear reforms to Europol could undermine national security by requiring Britain to share information with other countries. Police leaders, including Bristow, say that intelligence and information sharing within Europol is crucial to fighting organised crime. But the government refuses to commit to future co-operation with Europol. In addition, it is considering reviewing participation in the European arrest warrant.
Rob Wainwright, Europol's director, spoke last week of international concern that Britain appeared to be withdrawing from its commitment to share information just as the criminal threat became more global.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/06/national-crime-agency-theresa-may-europol-keith-bristow
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