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Assets Recovery Agency abolished Assets Recovery Agency abolished
(about 3 hours later)
The Assets Recovery Agency, set up to take money from criminals as part of a government drive against organised crime, is to be abolished.The Assets Recovery Agency, set up to take money from criminals as part of a government drive against organised crime, is to be abolished.
The Home Office is expected to announce on Thursday that ARA will merge with the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The Home Office announced on Thursday that ARA will merge with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Government sources insist that while the ARA will cease to exist in name, its work and investigations will continue.Government sources insist that while the ARA will cease to exist in name, its work and investigations will continue.
The ARA has been operating in London and Belfast for almost four years.The ARA has been operating in London and Belfast for almost four years.
Last year it froze assets belonging to Northern Ireland criminals worth almost £16m.Last year it froze assets belonging to Northern Ireland criminals worth almost £16m.
But it was also revealed that the agency had recovered only £8m from criminals - despite costing £60m to set up.But it was also revealed that the agency had recovered only £8m from criminals - despite costing £60m to set up.
Transfer of functionsTransfer of functions
It is regarded as a success story but will not be operating for much longer.It is regarded as a success story but will not be operating for much longer.
The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) was set up last year to tackle drug trafficking and other major crime. SOCA was set up last year to tackle drug trafficking and other major crime.
It is understood SOCA will take over the assets recovery functions, and there may be additional powers for prosecutors to seize money, though this has not been confirmed. The organisation will take over the assets recovery functions and additional powers to seize money is being extended to prosecutors.
It is unclear what will happen to the 50 staff who work in the agency's Belfast office.It is unclear what will happen to the 50 staff who work in the agency's Belfast office.
However, it is understood that the Northern Ireland Office has been given assurances that there will be no reduction in the resources dedicated to tackling organised crime. However the Northern Ireland Office has been given assurances that there will be no reduction in the resources dedicated to tackling organised crime.
Investigation unaffected
SOCA will have a designated officer responsible for asset recovery work in Northern Ireland, the Home Office said.
The abolishment of the body is in line with the government's desire to simplify and streamline the work done by law and order agencies.The abolishment of the body is in line with the government's desire to simplify and streamline the work done by law and order agencies.
It is thought the transfer of functions to SOCA will not affect ongoing investigations.It is thought the transfer of functions to SOCA will not affect ongoing investigations.
The agency's director, Jane Earl, will step down in April, but this is understood to be unrelated to the decision to close the agency.The agency's director, Jane Earl, will step down in April, but this is understood to be unrelated to the decision to close the agency.