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ASEANAPOL Secretariat Strengthens Ties with UK NCA for Enhanced Collaboration

17 November 2024

calendar_today 17 November 2024
London, November 8, 2024 – On the sidelines of the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat, led by Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan and Director for Plans and Programmes Pol. Sr. Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu Ngoc, held a strategic meeting with Mr. Mark Hughes, Director for International Crime at the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), and his Deputy Director, Mr. Jim McDonald. The meeting was expertly facilitated by Mr. Mark Brookes, the UK NCA’s designated contact person for ASEANAPOL.
The discussion centered on strengthening collaboration between ASEANAPOL and the UK NCA, which has been a Dialogue Partner of ASEANAPOL since 2019. The UK NCA has actively contributed to capacity-building programs for ASEANAPOL member countries’ law enforcement personnel, particularly in the areas of combating fraudulent travel documents and addressing trafficking in persons.
Key areas of focus during the meeting included combating scam call centers linked to human trafficking and forced criminality, enhancing the skills of ASEAN law enforcement officers to address transnational crimes, and facilitating cross-border data sharing to enhance investigative efficiency. Additionally, the UK NCA suggested placing special emphasis on combating online sexual exploitation and abuse of vulnerable members of the community, particularly women and children.
Both parties also explored strategies to strengthen regional coordination in addressing scam-related activities, particularly through the potential establishment of Anti-Scam Centers within ASEAN Member Countries. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both ASEANAPOL and the UK NCA to these shared priorities.
In a significant development, the UK NCA announced plans to host a specialized training program in mid-January 2025 for ASEANAPOL member countries, focusing on tackling trafficking in persons linked to fraudulent activities in scam call centers operating across the ASEAN region.
This partnership exemplifies the shared vision of ASEANAPOL and the UK NCA to foster international cooperation, enhance regional law enforcement capabilities, and effectively address the evolving challenges of transnational crime, particularly in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
"Together We Keep This Region Safe"


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