Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Progress Report 2025

Foreword

This progress report provides an overview of some of the work undertaken by partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce (SOCT) and others from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. This work contributes to the aim of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy to reduce serious organised crime and the harm it causes.

Since the publication of the last report, partners on the SOCT have continued to work together to ensure that organised criminals are detected and disrupted at every turn; that they are deterred from targeting our public, private and third sectors; and that people at risk of becoming involved in serious organised crime are diverted towards more positive destinations.

Legislative change has been a key aspect over the year. Work has been taken forward to deliver provisions that will be invaluable to law enforcement partners and others. The UK Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act includes new offences to criminalise the possession, importation, supply and offering to supply a pill press for criminal purposes, 3D gun printer templates machines and vehicle concealments. The UKG’s Crime and Policing Bill also provides new provisions around offensive weapons, cuckooing and child criminal exploitation. Scottish Government has supported these measures being extended to Scotland and has undertaken significant work to recommend to the Scottish Parliament that support should be provided for the measures to come into force in Scotland.

I am grateful to the many organisations across the public, private and third sectors who have contributed to the work of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce. Partnership working is vital and it is key that we all work together to disrupt serious organised crime in Scotland and support vulnerable people in our communities.

Angela Constance MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs

Chair, Serious Organised Crime Taskforce