EU Commission to propose expanding the role of pan-European police agency Europol

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Tuesday it will propose expanding the role of EU law enforcement cooperation agency Europol and boosting law enforcement access to data as part of a strategy to improve the bloc's internal security.

Faced with geopolitical challenges, hybrid threats and more digital crime, Europe is looking at ways to better fight organised crime, improve policing and better combat terrorism.

In its new strategy, the Commission called for more resources for law enforcement and investing in stronger EU agencies.

"We are going to make Europol a truly operational police agency," European Commission Executive Vice President in charge of security Henna Virkkunen told Reuters.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten)