Government reforms hint at SOCA end

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A new body called the National Crime Agency (NCA) could swallow up the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), if new Government plans get the go ahead.

SOCA has been involved in fighting cyber crime since its inception in 2006. However, proposals to shut it down are part of the Government’s plans to reform the UK police service, with Home Secretary Theresa May launching a consultation on the potential changes.

Along with SOCA, the NCA would also take the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the National Border Command under its wing.

A number of Association of Chief Police Officers' duties and some National Policing Improvement Agency functions would be handed to the NCA as well.

SOCA came under fire last year for not doing enough to tackle cyber crime, after the body had the responsibilities of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit folded into it.

The Police Central e-Crime unit also currently takes the fight to cyber criminals in the UK and recently arrested two London teenagers suspected of being behind an 8,000-member illicit online forum.

May said the NCA will “strengthen the fight against organised crime and toughen policing at the border”.

“I am also setting out how we will ensure police forces work more efficiently to strengthen the fight against crime while providing taxpayers with better value for money in these tough economic times,” she added.

The new reform programme, named "Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People," also proposed an election for police and crime commissioners to take place amongst the public in May 2012.

“By replacing invisible police authorities with directly elected police and crime commissioners, we can forge a direct link between the police and the public, ensuring that the public have a voice in setting police priorities and have the power to hold the police to account for keeping our streets safe and secure,” Prime Minister David Cameron added.

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