Stewart Dickson MLA said: “After many delays, I am very pleased at the news that the National Crime Agency is fully operational in Northern Ireland. They will be able to provide valuable resources and expertise to the efforts to fight against organised crime, protect children, seize criminal assets and tackle human trafficking. The PSNI had indicated that their efforts to combat these sorts of crime had been hampered by the delays in granting the NCA full powers in Northern Ireland.
“I must praise the work of the Justice Minister and the Chief Constable and his senior team for the work they have done to ensure that the NCA is fully operational here.
“The NCA will be able to take some of the pressure off the PSNI, especially at time when all public services are facing severe financial constraint.”
ENDS