Serious and Organised Crime
What is the risk of serious and organised crime in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire?
Organised crime is serious crime coordinated and conducted by people working together on a continuing basis.
Their motivation is often, but not always, financial gain.
Organised crime groups are responsible for the trafficking of drugs, people and firearms, organised illegal immigration, large-scale and high-volume fraud and other financial crimes and counterfeit goods.
How could serious and organised crime
affect you and your property?
Serious and organised crime has major impacts on community safety, public services and the local economy.
Organised crime groups operate across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, affecting individuals, businesses and neighbourhoods.
Key risks include:
Risk to life from violence, exploitation and criminal activity
Harm to vulnerable people, including children and adults targeted for trafficking, drugs supply or fraud
Loss of income for victims of financial crime, fraud and counterfeit goods
Impact on local businesses, including theft, extortion, cybercrime and disruption to legitimate trade
Community fear and reduced confidence due to visible criminal activity or intimidation
Pressure on public services, including policing, social care, health and safeguarding teams
Increased risk of drug-related harm, including addiction, violence and exploitation
Criminal infiltration of supply chains, affecting food, goods and services
Damage to the environment, such as illegal waste dumping or unsafe production of counterfeit products
Serious and organised crime is a persistent threat that requires coordinated action across agencies to protect communities, disrupt criminal networks and safeguard those most at risk.
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from crime
No one should be exploited or harmed by organised crime. Taking simple steps to stay aware and informed helps protect you, your family and your community.
Stay alert and informed
Be aware of local crime trends and suspicious activity. Follow updates from West Mercia Police and your local community safety team.
Protect your personal information
Keep your financial and personal details secure. Avoid sharing sensitive information online or over the phone, unless you're sure who you're speaking to.
Report concerns early
If you suspect criminal activity, such as drug dealing, exploitation or fraud, you should report it to the police or Crimestoppers. Early reporting helps disrupt organised networks.
Support vulnerable people
Look out for neighbours, friends or family who may be at risk of exploitation, coercion or fraud.
Encourage them to seek help and support.
Protect your home from crime
Follow advice to keep your home safe from burglary, damage, doorstep theft, fly-tipping and squatters: protect your valuables, safeguard your building and secure your outside.
How to prepare
your business
Responding to serious and organised crime
Operation Target
- Operation Target is our wide-reaching campaign to identify and target serious and organised crime. It sees us joining together with our neighbouring forces - West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire - to target and fight serious and organised crime throughout the region.
Our combined strategy and operation will
continue to be underpinned by the four Ps:
- Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting
people engaged in serious and organised
criminality. - Prevent – preventing people from
engaging in serious and organised
criminality. - Protect – increasing protection against
organised crime. - Prepare – reducing the impact of serious
and organised crime where it takes place
Find your emergency contacts to report crime
How to begin recovering from being a victim or witness of crime
If you've been a victim of crime or witnessed one, you have rights and support available.
You can expect fair treatment, respect and understanding from the police and everyone involved in the criminal justice process.
Every victim and witness deserves to be treated equally and with dignity.
Help and advice is available through police, government and local services to guide you through what happens next and where to find support.
What is being done to become
better prepared?
Serious and organised crime is a long-term threat. LRF partners across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire work together to reduce harm, disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable people. Key actions include:
- Strengthening multi-agency coordination: Police, councils, health, safeguarding teams and community organisations share intelligence and work jointly to identify risks and respond quickly.
- Targeting organised crime groups: West Mercia Police actively disrupt criminal networks involved in drug supply, exploitation, fraud, trafficking and firearms offences.
- Protecting vulnerable people: Agencies are working together to identify individuals at risk of exploitation including children, vulnerable adults and those targeted for fraud to provide early intervention and support.
- Improving community awareness: Public campaigns help residents recognise signs of organised crime, report concerns safely and understand how to protect themselves.
- Strengthening local businesses and supply chains: Trading standards, environmental health and regulatory services work with businesses to prevent counterfeit goods, illegal trading and criminal infiltration.
- Enhancing digital and financial resilience: Partners promote cyber‑security, fraud awareness and safe online behaviour to reduce the risk of financial crime.
Who is responsible for managing
serious and organised crime in our region?
To report a crime online:
Speak to your local councillor about concerns in your area:
Further resources
Some of our partners
