Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SCOPA) (Cap. 15), 2005

The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SCOPA) (Cap. 15) of the United Kingdom received Royal Assent on 7 April 2005.

The purpose of this Act is:

• to provide for the establishment and functions of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA);
  
• to make provision about investigations, prosecutions, offenders and witnesses in criminal proceedings and the protection of persons involved in investigations or proceedings;
  
• to provide for the implementation of certain international obligations relating to criminal matters;
  
• to amend the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;
  
• to make further provision for combatting crime and disorder, including new provision about powers of arrest and search warrants and about parental compensation orders;
  
• to make further provision about the police and policing and persons supporting the police;
  
• to make provision for protecting certain organisations from interference with their activities;
  
• to make provision about criminal records;
  
• to provide for the Private Security Industry Act 2001 to extend to Scotland;
  
• and for connected purposes.