On Tuesday, Andy Gould, detective chief superintendent for the U.K.’s National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), presented his views on the competency of police to combat crypto crimes.
In a parliamentary debate on the U.K. Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, Gould advocated for the country’s police force’s abilities in investigations involving the enforcement and confiscation of cryptocurrencies. Further, he mentioned that the police forces could address economic crimes involving crypto but need the capacity.
Every UK force and regional crime unit is now equipped with officers trained and equipped to handle crypto crimes. The government has also spent approximately 100 million pounds ($116 million) to create cryptocurrency tactical advisers across policing in the last four years.
Gould further said that the officers in the forces are versed with investigative tools, and a national storage platform for the seized quantities, all of this is to enable the officers to progress the investigations.
He also mentioned the challenges faced by the police and how they are getting complicated daily, given the increasing diversity and technicality of cryptocurrency assets and the rising intention to join the private sector. However, the country, in the past year, has confiscated cryptocurrency assets worth hundreds of millions within the last year.
In May, the U.K. monarch announced a bill introduced in the Parliament in September that targeted driving out black money. It also gave authority to money laundering, terror financing, and crypto information.
The U.K. government has witnessed the change of 3 prime ministers within two months; however, with Rishi Sunak as the prime minister, the country is being seen as a potential crypto, given his past advocacy.