NCIS releases money laundering report for first time

Solicitors have welcomed the first public distribution of the National Criminal Intelligence Service's (NCIS) annual strategic threat assessment on organised crime.

Louise Delahunty, chairwoman of the Law Society's serious fraud and money laundering task force, said the report's findings were positive, adding: 'Any initiative that promotes awareness must be a good thing.'

NCIS, responsible for gathering and processing criminal intelligence for law enforcement agencies, has published three annual classified reports restricted to government officers.

This is the first time an unclassified version has been released to provoke debate on the topic.

The report said solicitors and accountants continue to play a significant role in money laundering in the UK, especially for more complex schemes: 'Professional firms need to know that they are a potential target for misuse by criminals.'

Ms Delahunty said: 'I think the majority of solicitors are conscious of their obligations, and non-contentious solicitors are increasingly streetwise.

Those who are being used by their clients would be a small minority.'

Anne Mizzi