We worked with the Food Standards Agency to produce a Strategic Assessment which informed our food crime priorities.
We focus on four key objectives: Divert, Deter, Detect and Disrupt. This sets a framework for activity to identify, understand and tackle food crime, providing an overarching strategic approach to managing the Scottish food crime priorities.
| Detect | Disrupt | Deter | Divert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify opportunities to gather intelligence and detect food crime across the supply chain | Undertake intelligence-led multi-agency actions to target, mitigate and tackle threats |
Work alongside partners and industry to ensure a hostile environment for criminals to operate in |
Identify opportunities to implement prevention strategies with partners and industry |
| Target individuals, groups and/or businesses involved in fraudulent activity using all available powers | Share intelligence and analytical products with partners to enhance assessments | Prosecution of illegal activity through use of appropriate legislation | Publicise prosecutions, interventions, enforcement actions and the risks to consumers |
| Undertake analysis of information, data and intelligence to identify trends, patterns and emerging risks within the food industry | Utilise existing legislation available to the organisation and partners to seek positive outcomes | Continue to raise food crime as a national issue to ensure awareness and deter those who may become involved in this activity | Raise awareness of the repercussions of prosecution, potential for financial loss and reputational damage |
The Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit will focus on the following priorities outlined below:
Meat and Meat Products
Criminality in the meat and meat products supply chain impacting on authenticity and traceability.
This includes country of origin, premium status, integrity of animal identification and fitness for entry into the food chain, along with a focus on criminal activity such as illegal slaughter, unlawful processing and substitution. This is a key sector for Scotland both in terms of economy and reputation with continued work with partners and industry essential for identifying, tackling and preventing food crime.
Animal By-Product (ABP)
The entry of illegal ABP into the human food and animal feed chains.
Includes practices such as the illegal re-categorisation of ABP for entry into the human food and animal feed chains, and also where ABP has been diverted into unapproved raw pet food production.
Supply Chains of High Risk
Fraudulent activity relating to supply chains of high risk.
Focus on the authenticity and traceability of products which are assessed to be vulnerable to food crime such as honey, herbs and spices, fish, edible oils and sustainable products (including organic).
Alcohol
Illicit and counterfeit alcohol in the supply chain
There is a public safety concern which warrants continued intelligence gathering and investigation resources to understand the scale of activity in Scotland and mitigate criminality taking place.
Report food crime
Food crime can be reported anonymously through the Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926 or by completing an online form.
Report Food Crime - Leaflet
Help us prevent food crime.
