UK support for victim-focused policing |22 December 2022
(L to r) Mr Phillips, Inspector Labiche and HC Lynch in a souvenir photograph after the handover of the donation
The British High Commission and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) have demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding children and other vulnerable victims of serious crimes by donating cutting-edge technology and comfort items to the Seychelles Child Protection Unit.
The donated items include two interactive Viewsonic screens equipped with trolleys and webcams, enabling children and other witnesses to provide evidence remotely and facilitate victim-focused investigations.
Other donated items include laptops, cameras, blankets and soft toys. The donation was made in response to recommendations of a report compiled by the NCA on child sexual abuse and exploitation following their visit earlier this year.
Commenting on the donation and the British high commission’s ongoing partnership with Seychelles’ policing, the high commissioner, Patrick Lynch, said: “The strength of the long-standing relationship between the UK and Seychelles is demonstrated through our shared commitment towards the ongoing work on policing and justice reform, one element of which is tackling pertinent child protection issues in society. This new equipment directly addresses local concerns on the treatment of victims during criminal investigations.”
Representing the Seychelles Child Protection Unit at the handover were the head of the Child Protection Unit, Inspector Agnes Labiche, and other members of the unit.
Over the past two weeks, the NCA’s international liaison officer, Michael Phillips, conducted a workshop with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Financial Crimes Investigation Team (FCIU) on the i2 System, a trusted intelligence analysis platform for national security and defence, law enforcement, fraud, financial crime and cyber threat hunting.
Sharing his outlook on the NCA’s work with Seychelles experts, Mr Phillips added, “Following the NCA’s international training team workshop, we are delighted to make these donations to support victim-focused investigations,” said Mr Phillips.
Press release from the British high commission
