New Serious Crime Directorate for Kent and Essex

Essex Police and Kent Police have set up a new joint command, the Serious Crime Directorate, which will provide enhanced resources and geographical capacity to target and tackle those involved in serious criminality in the South and East of England.

In January 2010, both the Kent Police Authority and the Essex Police Authority confirmed proposals to join its Serious Crime Operations subject to full consultation with staff and other stakeholders.

The decision to create the directorate was in response to the need to enhance our ability to deal with serious and organised crime. Government publications such as, “Closing the Gap” and “Extending our Reach” clearly set out expectations for improved delivery of services. By acting jointly, we will be able to provide a more effective, efficient and professional service to the public of Kent and Essex in the fight against organised crime groups.

ACC Pughsley & Det Chief Supt Wilson

In addition, as public organisations, both Kent Police and Essex Police are facing significant financial pressures as we deliver effective services to taxpayers. Our greatest imperative is to provide better protection for the communities of Kent and Essex from risk and harm that serious and organised crime presents.  These reasons made it essential that both forces explore all options for delivering improved services in the most efficient way.

The Serious Crime Directorate will provide an enhanced service and better value for money. The advantages of a 24/7 intelligence capability, greater and more flexible surveillance and operational investigative capacity, taken together with the wholesale advantages of critical mass, create a resilient service that will provide a flagship Serious Crime Directorate.

The directorate will be one of the largest divisions in UK policing dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime, with more than 1,100 officers and staff working together to target those causing the most harm in our communities across Essex and Kent.

Heading up the new directorate is Assistant Chief Constable Alan Pughsley and his second in command is Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Wilson.
 
ACC Pughsley said of his new role: “I am hugely excited and feel very privileged to have been given this unique opportunity to lead the Serious Crime Directorate.

“Serious and organised crime can bring fear and violence to communities, so it is essential that we do all we can to prevent it. The directorate allows us to work together and share resources in a way that will benefit greatly the public of Kent and Essex. It will enhance our capacity and capability to continue to tackle serious organised crime across both counties and to target those who cause most harm in our communities.”
 
Det Chief Supt Gareth Wilson said: “I am looking forward very much to the opportunities presented by the Serious Crime Directorate. I relish the chance to work with colleagues across both forces whose enthusiasm and passion for the job will be hugely important in achieving our goals.

“Our collaboration programme between Kent and Essex is extremely strong and this is another example of how we are working together – joining our resources to give the communities of Essex and Kent an even better police service."

Chief Constable of Kent,  Adrian Leppard, said: “ACC Pughsley is a strong and capable leader who has years of experience in leading teams tackling serious and organised crime. I have absolute confidence in him to help us build a formidable crime-fighting force for Essex and Kent.”
 
Chief Constable of Essex, Jim Barker-McCardle, said: “I am delighted that such talented, committed, and experienced senior officers have been appointed to this new joint command. Their experience, expertise, drive and determination will be key in keeping our communities safe and free from the miseries of serious and organised crime.”

The Chief Executive of the Kent Police Authority, Mark Gilmartin said:“There will be absolutely no hiding place for serious, career criminals in Kent and Essex. We’ve now got the people and equipment to rival the very best and biggest police forces in the country. This is a hugely significant development for our two police authorities and Forces and will deliver real benefits to both our communities.”

The Chairman of the Essex Police Authority, Robert Chambers said: “I am pleased that the proposal has been taken forward to form this joint Serious Crime Directorate of Essex and Kent police forces. This is yet another example of how the people of both Essex and Kent will receive an enhanced service with better value for money through collaboration.

“Essex and Kent are some of the safest counties in the country but we are not complacent. I believe that, by joining forces to tackle serious and organised crime, we will provide an even more efficient service and make our two counties even safer by bringing to justice those responsible”

The formation of the Serious Crime Directorate is subject to full consultation with the staff and officers involved, UNISON, the Superintendents’ Association, Police Federation, and other stakeholders. No decisions about staffing structures for each department or work locations have been taken and the proposals for any changes will be developed with the full engagement of officers and staff at the appropriate time.