The downfall of top-of-the-tree villains requires months, or even years of covert operations run by the police.
Once the dramatic raids and arrests are carried out, more graft is needed to build a case that will stand up in court, and put violent criminals behind bars for a long time.
One part of the fight against organised crime is currently being run beside the banks of the River Irwell in Salford. A total of 120 new posts are being created at the growing office of government lawyers.
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This week, the Attorney General, Victoria Prentis visited the office, to meet lawyers - as a recruitment drive for more staff is being shaped up.
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has signed an agreement with HM Revenue and Customs for its staff to join them and move into the Three New Bailey, office block, off Chapel Street, and near Manchester city centre. The expansion of GLD in the North West complements existing offices in Bristol, Leeds, and London.
Teams working out of the Government Legal hub include, the criminal law advisory team – which will support on the investigation of arrests of members of an organised crime group who have been under investigation for several years in relation to a conspiracy to launder amounts of up to £100m.
The GLD currently employs 40 at its Salford base, but is to set to employ up to 120. The department was historically known as the Treasury Solicitor's Department, but changed name to the Government Legal Department in 2015.
The new name reflects a "significant period of change", which saw the department more than double in size.
GLD lawyers work in both advisory and litigation roles. In litigation, lawyers bring and defend legal proceedings involving central government and related bodies. In advisory teams, lawyers provide advice to ministers and civil servants on both the current law and on proposed Government policies and future legislation.
The department is the government’s principal legal adviser and is made up of up of nearly 3,000 staff with over 2,500 lawyers. Advising on the some of the most complex, demanding and varied legal issues of the day, its lawyers represent the government in cases ranging from education to transport and help bring the government’s legislative agenda to fruition.
The Attorney General on her visit to Salford said: "It is vital there are opportunities for brilliant lawyers outside of London to work in Government - so it has been a pleasure to see how numbers are growing here in Salford.
"I worked for the Government legal service for 17 years and know what a varied and critical work this career can offer – spreading the news is one of my biggest priorities as a Law Officer. I’m encouraged by the opportunities for talented lawyers in the North West."
Angus Edwards, HMRC Senior Sponsor Manchester Region and Deputy Director Commercial Law HMRC Solicitors Office, said: "This visit by the Attorney General and Solicitor General to our new Greater Manchester government hub marks the moment that civil service lawyers, advising central government departments, have come together in a single, modern workplace in the North-West.
"The co-location of HMRC’s Solicitors Office and the Government Legal Department not only supports day-to-day collaboration but will also provide opportunities for lawyers interested in varied long-term careers in government legal practice in the region."
Susanna McGibbon, Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary of the Government Legal Department, said: "This is an exciting moment for the Government Legal Department. Establishing a new office in the North West is an important step in us becoming truly national and creating unique career opportunities across the country."
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