Anti-Racketeering Unit (Northern Ireland)
The 'Anti-Racketeering Unit (ARU) was a specialised unit established by the Northern Ireland Office in 1988, with a remit to confront paramilitary fundraising and reduce the flow of funds to terrorist organisations. Its creation followed a request for assistance from the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) to the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Tom King MP. This unit worked closely with the RUC, who provided the necessary operational support and led on investigative issues. In 1993 the ARU was renamed the Terrorist Finance Unit (TFU). In 1996, following a fundamental review of the functions of the NIO, a joint NIO/RUC working party was formed to consider the work and future of the TFU. On conclusion of this process, responsibility for investigating terrorist finance passed formally to the RUC on the grounds that this would provide greater operational focus for the work of the unit. At the same time, the work of the TFU was expanded to cover other areas including non-terrorist financial crime activity. To reflect these changes, it was renamed the Financial Crime Services Unit (FCSU).[1]
In 1999, following an internal RUC review, a specialised unit within RUC Special Branch assumed responsibility for intelligence gathering in respect of the financial activities of paramilitary organisations. Other research and analytical functions of the FCSU were retained through the establishment of the RUC Analysis Centre, a Service wide analytical service, covering all aspects of policing in Northern Ireland.[1]
It is possible given Stephen Dorril's description of his role that Michael Maltby was involved with the work of this unit.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Memorandum submitted by Police Service Northern Ireland, Minutes of Evidence taken by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, House of Commons, 16 January 2002.
