Understanding the food crime threat

Key successes in the quarter

Following the National Food Crime Unit’s first end-to-end prosecution last year, the suspect (who was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment for supplying DNP and other illegal substances) has been subjected to Confiscation Order proceedings in this quarter where his total benefit is assessed at around £180,000 and realisable assets assessed at around £23,000.

We have significantly supported an LA-led investigation where four defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud offences related to the diversion of animal by products back into the human food chain.

Concerns/risks

As a consequence of changes at the beginning of 2022 to 2023 to the priority food crime areas we are looking to address our intel collection aligned to our Control Strategy slightly reduced to 54%. We are looking to moderately increase this proportion. Alignment between operational activity and priorities is 62%.

Next steps

Continue to deliver against 11 current investigations at various stages in their lifecycles, and to enact 4P plans (Pursue, Protect, Prevent, Prepare) against our agreed strategic priorities.

Alongside Food Standards Scotland, work on our next Food Crime Strategic Assessment to enrich our understanding of threats. 
 

Highlighted food crime successes in Quarter 1:

• 2 suspects arrested and interviewed
• 1 case file submitted for consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service
• 4 suspects charged
• 1 seizure of 36 tubs of 2.4 dinitrophenol (DNP)
• 1 warrant executed

Food crime intelligence reports by control strategy priority in quarter 1 2022 to 2023

337 reports recorded (decrease of 76 from rolling 12 month average of 416) of which:

• 26% red meat pork/beef/lamb/mixed
• 11% diversion of animal-by-products
• 9% dangerous non-foods
• 8% shellfish
• 46% outside of NFCU Control Strategy

Quarterly disruptions and outcomes

• 20 disruptions (increase of 6 from Quarter 4 2021 to 2022)
• 8 outcomes (decrease of 10 from Quarter 4 2021 to 2022)