Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel met with UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and UK Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson, in London this week, to discuss joint efforts to tackle serious organised crime related to drugs and human trafficking, and for the Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Dialogue.

Further talking points included preventing public order disturbances at protest manifestations, and how the Netherlands and the United Kingdom deal with radicalisation and extremism online.

Read the Minister's speech at the the SOC dialogue here.

The Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Dialogue saw nearly 70 experts from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom gather for a two-day event aimed at enhancing cooperation in tackling serious organised crime. The dialogue brought together representatives from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, the Ministry of Justice and Security, the police, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and other key stakeholders to exchange insights and strengthen operational collaboration.

The Dialogue consisted of working groups focused on three key areas:

• Illicit financial flows – Combating money laundering and financial structures that sustain criminal networks.

• Maritime drug flows – Disrupting drug trafficking via sea routes and enhancing enforcement strategies.

• Continued offending in detention – Preventing organised crime from being orchestrated from within prison systems.

A keynote speech by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC) explored emerging trends in the global maritime drug trade, highlighting shifting trafficking routes and new challenges. Additionally, a panel discussion was held on regional developments in Latin America and West Africa.