Distinct legal systems make UK-wide force impractical

Published on Thursday 25 November 2004 01:17

FOR months, Scotland and England have been in a race to create their own answer to the United States’ FBI.

With pride at stake, and legal systems so different on either side of the Border, a "British FBI" was never really an option.

Scotland got there first - at least in the eyes of Jack McConnell, the First Minister, who sees the scheme announced yesterday as Westminster finally coming around to a Scottish model.

Much of Scotland’s serious crime is now fought by the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency (SDEA), which tackles organised and serious crime in Scotland and internationally.

It is proud of its independent record. Last year, its operations led to 195 arrests and 96 criminal networks being disrupted with 103,000kg of Class A drugs and 4,200kg of Class B drugs.

Since the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) was proposed for England and Wales last February, the Scottish response has been - in so many words - "it will be easier to work with English agencies when they get their act together, like us".

Clause 25 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill may well ruffle feathers in Scotland. For the first time in recent history, it gives the Home Secretary power to "direct" Scottish police forces if they refuse to comply with SOCA.

But even then, the Home Secretary needs permission from Holyrood. It is highly unlikely that the "Scottish FBI" would refuse to help its "English FBI" catch a criminal - and require such instruction.

While the real FBI has a remit to act across the United States, the Scottish and English agencies will both work their own boundaries.