Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any steps her Department is taking to tackle the operations of trafficking gangs, in Northern Ireland.
Minister of Justice: On 10 July 2024 I published the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Strategy 2024-2027 structured under the three pillars of Pursue, Protect and Prevent, marking a step forward in Northern Ireland’s system wide response to exploitation in our communities. Under the Pursue strand of the Strategy, my Department and key delivery partners are working to improve the disruption of criminals and organised crime groups responsible for exploitation through the development of additional legislative measures and the enhancement of multi-sector collaboration in assessing and responding to emerging threats.
Among the additional measures being developed by my Department are Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders (STROs), which will provide courts with the power to limit the activity of suspected offenders who are subject to investigation for slavery or trafficking offences, or other offences which may be relevant. At present, those who have been convicted of a slavery or trafficking offence in Northern Ireland may be issued a Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO), which similarly limits the activities of offenders. Since the introduction of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, an STPO has been issued following the majority of slavery or trafficking convictions, which themselves have positively increased in recent years.
I have recently introduced two new offences of directing and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, via amendment at Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill, which is currently before the Assembly. The intention of the proposed provisions are to create specific legislation for prosecuting individuals involved in criminal conduct, which can include slavery or trafficking, linked to serious organised crime in Northern Ireland and to criminalise those who, at any level, are involved in the commission and undertaking of serious organised crime; and pursue those who work together to commit or conspire to commit serious crimes. The associated sentences are intended to better reflect the gravity of this offending, act as a deterrent, and send a clear message that involvement in organised crime carries serious consequences.
In addition, my Department supports the work of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) which is a unique partnership supporting operational law enforcement, relevant partners and wider civic society in the fight against organised crime. The OCTF comprises a senior Strategy Group and thematic/ threat-specific subgroups, one of which specifically focuses on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
Following the recent enactment of the Crime & Policing Act 2026, I have made provision for a new offence of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and associated CCE Prevention Orders for Northern Ireland. The CCE offence will criminalise adults (18+) who exploit children (under 18) for criminal activity, making the adult the primary offender rather than simply extending liability for the underlying offence committed by the child. The offence aims to increase prosecutions, address evidential challenges, improve the identification of victims, and deter gangs by enlisting them as child exploiters with significant penalties (up to 10 years’ imprisonment).
CCE Prevention Orders will be introduced as civil measures to disrupt exploitative behaviour and safeguard children. Modelled on existing orders, they place restrictions or requirements on individuals to prevent or stop exploitation, with the intention of protecting potential victims and diverting individuals from offending. Breaching such an order is a criminal offence punishable by up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
ENDS
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