North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU)

📽️ Check out what we've been up to recently! During March, police across England and Wales have been taking part in dedicated operations targeting those using money laundering to fund wider serious and organised crime like drug and firearm supply, child exploitation, human trafficking, and modern slavery. In the #NorthEast, thanks to the co-ordinated efforts by #NEROCU, Cleveland Police (UK), Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary, National Crime Agency (NCA), Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and Immigration, the activity saw a total of 39 premises visited. The operation, known nationally as #ProjectMachinize, also saw the seizure of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco worth over £80,000 across the region as well as £5,000 in cash believed to be linked to illegal activities and the arrest of a 34-year-old man on suspicion of money laundering and possessing stolen goods. During the operation, criminal networks involved in money laundering were targeted by police and partner agencies, who focused resources to tackling large-scale illegal operations who use this tactic as a way of ‘cleaning’ their illicit income. 💻 Read more on our website, we'll drop a link in the comment below 👇

🤔 Don't assume a phone call is authentic just because they know your name. Warnings for the #NorthEast after a recent incident where an 88-year-old woman nearly lost £6,500 after scammers contacted her claiming to be from her bank. Luckily, Cleveland Police (UK) stepped in and safeguarded the victim and her money. #CourierFraud often targets vulnerable people via calls from withheld numbers from someone purporting to be a police officer or figure of authority and tricks the victim into handing over money, high-value items, cheques or gift cards. No reputable organisation will mind if you take your time, challenge them, or ask for proof and hang up. Speak to someone you trust, drop into your bank or call the number given on your official bank statement. If sent a link by text or email don’t click it, report it. 📲 For help or to report fraud visit Action Fraud's website.

💷 Over £649m lost to investment fraud in 2024, with cryptocurrency fraud on the rise. Data from Action Fraud reveals that people aged 35-44 were more likely to be targeted for investment fraud, while those aged 55-64 suffered the greatest financial losses. #InvestmentFraud occurs when criminals approach individuals, often out of the blue, and persuade them to invest in schemes or products that are either worthless or entirely fictitious. Fraudsters may claim to offer opportunities in foreign exchange, gold and other valuable metals, overseas time-shares, or #cryptocurrency, promising unrealistically high returns that far exceed normal market trends. In 2024, #ActionFraud received 25,843 reports related to investment fraud, with victims collectively losing £649,062,146. Cryptocurrency continued to be the most common asset fraudsters claimed to be investing in, accounting for 66% of all reports. Find out more on Action Fraud's website or check out our top tips below 👇

🚪Knock Knock! - Doorstep scammers are no joke! We're seeing reports of doorstep fraudsters trying to scam people with offers of trade services. They're claiming they have leftover materials from another job and offering 'deals' for various work. Check out our top tips below 👇

🤝 Joint operation held to investigate forced labour Last week more than 30 officers from #NEROCU, Cleveland Police (UK) and Immigration Enforcement took part in a special operation investigating forced labour. Following reports that people were being exploited into forced labour, the teams visited a business in Billingham and spoke to a number of people to ensure they were being safeguarded. Two residential properties in Middlesbrough were also visited by police and officers had concerns about one address in relation to how habitable it was resulting in further enquiries with the council and fire brigade. Modern day slavery and exploitation are some of the most appalling and inexcusable crimes we encounter. Those involved target vulnerable people and strip them of their dignity and freedom. While strikes like this shows the action we’re taking with partners, we refuse to become complacent and will continue to robustly target suspects and safeguard those at risk. 👀 We’re asking people to be vigilant and look out for anything unusual in their community and let us know - does someone come and go from address at strange times, are there are a lot of different people coming and going from a property? Have you spotted poor working conditions at a shop or premise? If that’s the case, then please contact the police.

⚖️ Eight drug dealers have been sentenced to a combined 36 years in prison after their criminal network was uncovered. Steven Brown and later his brother Shay acted as the head of a conspiracy to supply cocaine, while their brother Craig Brown controlled cannabis supply in and around the Alnwick area. Operation Peach was launched by Northumbria Police and supported by the #NEROCU to investigate the supply of the Class A and B substances in the town. 🚔 Detectives soon identified Casey-Lee Hopper, Tony Joyce-Scott, Ben Pattinson and Jamie Pattinson as all working on behalf of Steven and Shay Brown, while Craig Brown was assisted by Graham Atkinson. Check out the full story on our website, we'll drop a link in the comments below 👇

📬 We're urging you to remain vigilant after three suspected parcel fraudsters have been arrested across the region after victims lose almost £20k. Recently #NEROCU officers have arrested three men across in #Newcastle and #Durham believed to be linked to postal fraud. 📦 Postal Fraud occurs in a similar way to Courier Fraud, where criminals contact victims and manipulate them into believing they’re police or from their bank. Then unlike courier fraud where a criminal would attend a victim’s home address to collect cash, in postal fraud the victim is persuaded to withdraw cash from their bank account, package it up and send it to a specified address. 💷 During the arrests £25,000 in cash was seized and £13,000 in assets frozen while the investigation continues. Victims in various locations across the country including Lancashire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Birmingham and Londonderry lost almost £20,000 in total with many victims being over the age of 80. Full story on our website, we'll drop a link in the comments below 👇

🎤 👏 We teamed up with partners to host a first-of-its-kind unique event aimed at shining a light on serious and organised crime. The North East Serious and Organised Crime Conference, was an innovative two-day event, that saw key specialists come together to deliver inputs showcasing national and regional examples of success, demonstrating new opportunities, highlighting new threats, and detailing new capabilities that can be utilised to assist in the prevention of serious and organised crime. Held at the amazing Glow Centre, on March 25 and 26, it was led by the us with the support of Durham Constabulary, Cleveland Police (UK) and Northumbria Police. The Society of Evidence Based Policing (SEBP) kindly sponsored the event and it also saw all three of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioners attend and show their support, with the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and the Joy Allen BA Hons MSc MBA, introducing speakers throughout both days. 🤝 We want to thank all those who attended the conference and a special thank you to those who delivered a presentation. Everybody engaging with sessions is what made it the success it was. 👋 The event also had stalls from #NEROCU Cyber and Economic Crime specialists, Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX), the Trainee Detective Programme that tackles knife crime, and the City of London Police. In the #NorthEast we are proud of the connected and coherent response we deliver to the threat of serious and organised crime, providing a collaborative whole system approach across the region. 💙 Events like this are crucial in sharing best practice and raising awareness of the latest innovative capabilities available to maintain our momentum in targeting those involved in serious and organised crime and protecting our communities. Read more on our website, we'll drop a link in the comments below 👇

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👏 Some outstanding results from some amazing partnership work to tackle fraud. 422 arrests and £7.5m taken out the hands of suspected organised criminals. Check out the below video to find out more👇 #OperationHenhouse