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Finance

UK police targeting organised crime make 17 arrests, investigate financial firms

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 29, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: September 29, 2026

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UK Police Arrest 17 in Major Organised Crime and Financial Firm Crackdown

Major Operation Targets Organised Crime and Financial Misconduct

Details of the Arrests and Charges

LONDON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - British police targeting organised crime said they had arrested 17 people on suspicion of charges ranging from money laundering to false accounting and tax evasion as part of a major operation involving 800 officers and the country's financial regulator.

Financial Conduct Authority's Involvement

Action Against Firms

Following a months-long investigation, the Financial Conduct Authority is taking action against seven firms, and is pursuing a further 30, the police said in a statement on Tuesday.

Raids and Locations

Properties in London, south east England and eastern England were raided in the early hours of Tuesday, and police said those arrested were suspected of being involved at a senior level in serious and organised crime.

Statements from Authorities

FCA's Position

Importance of Joint Action

The FCA said joint action was key to disrupting groups "who abuse our financial system to launder dirty money".

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton)

Key Takeaways

  • A coordinated effort involving 800 officers and the FCA targeted senior‑level organised‑crime networks across London, southeast and eastern England; 17 arrests were made for offences including money laundering, false accounting and tax evasion.
  • The Financial Conduct Authority has taken enforcement action against seven firms and is pursuing investigations into an additional 30, underlining the scale of regulatory scrutiny allied with police action.
  • This operation reflects a growing trend of integrated law‑enforcement and financial‑regulatory collaboration to disrupt organised‑crime infiltration of legitimate financial firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people were arrested in the UK police operation against organised crime?
A total of 17 people were arrested as part of the UK police operation targeting organised crime.
What charges are those arrested facing?
Those arrested are suspected of charges ranging from money laundering to false accounting and tax evasion.
Which organisations were involved in the investigation?
The operation involved the British police, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and around 800 police officers.
How many firms is the Financial Conduct Authority taking action against?
The FCA is taking action against seven firms and is pursuing a further 30 firms.
Where did the police raids take place?
Raids took place in London, south east England, and eastern England.

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