Specialist policing capabilities tackling Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) across southern Wales.

Dyfed-Powys Police

Gwent Police

South Wales Police

Who are Tarian?

Tarian is the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales. There are nine ROCUs across England and Wales, each created to manage the cross-border Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) threat, where traditionally forces were hampered by offenders crossing territorial boundaries.

Each ROCU consists of dedicated police officers and police staff working across multiple specialist policing areas, that reflect the key threats of the individual region.

Tarian was established in 2003 and has grown considerably in size and ability since then. However, it has always remained true to its founding mission: to identify, disrupt and dismantle the organised crime groups causing the most harm to the southern Wales region.

The UK Government defines Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) as individuals planning, coordinating and committing serious offences, whether individually, in groups, and/or as part of transnational networks. SOC is a major threat to the national security and prosperity of the United Kingdom. It costs lives, blights communities, hampers economic growth, causes financial loss, and corrodes the global reputation of the UK and its institutions. Most SOC is driven by the relentless pursuit of money, with Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) seeking maximum profit for minimum risk. Some of the main types of SOC are outlined below.

Cyber & Economic Crime icon

Economic and Cyber Crime

Economic and Cyber Crime is the most common crime type in the UK and now accounts for over 40% of all crime. Economic Crime refers to a broad category of activity involving money, finance or assets, the purpose of which is to unlawfully obtain a profit or advantage for the perpetrator, or to cause a loss to others. Cyber Crime is a criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network, or a networked device.

Discover more
Drugs icon

Drug Trafficking

There are three classes of controlled drugs in the UK: Class A, Class B and Class C. Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for Organised Crime Groups (OCGs). OCGs will move illegal drugs from one area to another, usually using children or vulnerable people, through a process known as County Lines. There are four main offences associated with illicit drugs: possession, supply, production and importation. Drug trafficking will almost always underpin other illegal OCG activities.

Discover more
Organised Immigration Crime icon

Organised Immigration Crime

Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) involves moving a person across borders without legal permission or documentation with the assistance of an Organised Crime Group (OCG). The criminal groups look to exploit vulnerable people, charge them large sums of money and make false promises, and put them at great risk as they are transported across borders. The revenue the groups make is often used to fund other forms of criminality and many will use violence to maintain control of migrants or territory.

Discover more
Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking icon

Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) exists in many forms across the country and can affect many different people regardless of background, gender, age, or ethnicity. Types of slavery include child trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and domestic servitude. Many victims are trafficked from overseas and their exploitation often begins enroute. They are often found working in the construction industry, in agriculture, in the sex industry, and in places like nail bars, car washes, and cannabis farms.

Discover more
Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation icon

Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) involves forcing or persuading a child or young person under the age of 18 to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of CSA. It is a term used to describe where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity. CSE does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Children who are coerced into working for Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) may also be groomed and sexually exploited.

Discover more
Report a crime icon

Organised Acquisitive Crime

Organised Acquisitive Crime (OAC) consists of offences where the offender or offenders achieve material gain as a result of the crime. Examples include shoplifting, burglary, theft, and robbery. OAC is often carried out by Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) on a large, planned scale.

Discover more
Close Video