The Act Schedule 1: The Serious Organised Crime Agency Section 2: Functions of SOCA as to serious organised crime
77.This section sets out the core functions of SOCA in relation to serious organised crime. Additional functions are set out in section 3. These functions will be to prevent and detect serious organised crime and to contribute to the reduction of such crime and to the mitigation of its consequences. In effect, the purpose of SOCA will be to reduce the harm caused by serious organised crime. This purpose reflects the approach for the Agency which was set out in the White Paper One Step Ahead: A 21st Century Strategy to Defeat Organised Crime. The function of mitigating the consequences of organised crime acknowledges that the prosecution of organised criminals is only one of the strategies that may be employed to tackle organised criminality.
78.Subsections (3) and (4) circumscribe the extent to which SOCA may involve itself in serious fraud cases. Tackling revenue fraud is primarily the responsibility of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs. Accordingly, SOCA may only investigate revenue fraud with the agreement of the Commissioners. Similarly, under the terms of section 1 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, the SFO has primacy in the investigation of serious or complex fraud. Again, SOCA may only pursue serious non-revenue fraud cases where the SFO declines to act or with the agreement of the Director of the SFO.
79.SOCA may undertake activities directed at reducing the harm caused by revenue and serious or complex fraud that do not involve formal investigations - for example, the dissemination of information to financial institutions on combating types of fraud. Where any functions are undertaken under section 2(1)(b) in connection with revenue fraud SOCA must first consult the Commissioners.