Serious Organised Crime Taskforce: progress report 2023

What does serious organised crime look like in Scotland?

Serious organised crime (SOC) is defined in Scotland’s SOC Strategy as crime which:

• involves more than one person;
• is organised, meaning that it involves control, planning and, potentially, use of specialist resources;
• causes, or has the potential to cause, significant harm; and
• involves financial or other benefit to the individuals concerned.

This broad definition means that SOC presents in many forms, including drugs, violence, human trafficking, child sexual abuse, cybercrime including fraud and more.

In Scotland, SOC is responsible for causing substantial economic and social harm to individuals, businesses, and communities. The aim of the SOC Strategy is to reduce SOC and the harm it causes in Scotland.

• At the end of March 2023, there were a total of 101 Serious Organised Crime Groups (SOCGs) recorded as operating in Scotland, made up of 1,726 individuals.
• 61% of SOCGs are located in the West of Scotland, 23% in the East and 16% in the North.
• 65% of SOCGs are involved in drug crime; cocaine and cannabis are the most popular commodities.
• 72% of SOCGs are involved in the use of seemingly legitimate businesses. Property development remains the most common business sector for SOCGs. This is closely followed by retail, vehicle maintenance, taxis, restaurants and environmental sectors.

As at end of March 2023, there were 165 SOC nominals incarcerated within 12 of the 15 prison establishments in Scotland. These individuals are linked to 51 separate crime groups.