Crime pays... for the new HQ of financial law enforcement
MONEY seized from criminals has been used to pay for a new home of a number of the island’s financial law enforcement services, which was officially opened this week.
Marie Randall House – the former Guernsey Telecoms building in Upland Road, St Peter Port – has been named after Guernsey’s first female deputy and was officially opened this week by Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell.
It has been completely refurbished and will house about 60 staff from teams including the Economic & Financial Crime Bureau, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Economic Crime Unit of the Law Officers of the Crown.
The three organisations were previously located in separate offices.
The relocation presents a saving for Home Affairs, as several office spaces including the EFCB building at the Mignot Plateau will be vacated.
The refurbishment works were paid for using the States’ Seized Assets Fund – funds seized from criminality.
Home Affairs president Rob Prow said the building was bringing together the work that his committee had done in partnership with Policy & Resources and other anti-money laundering authorities to strengthen the island’s ability to combat financial crime.
‘It brings the new Economic & Financial Crime Bureau together with the FIU and other, similar, services to create what will essentially be the hub for the island’s fight against money laundering, the financing of terrorism and countering of proliferation financing,’ he said.
‘Having robust services in this area is vital to support Guernsey’s financial services industry and to ensure we meet our international standards.’
Economic & Financial Crime Bureau interim director Philip Hunkin said the idea to bring Guernsey’s financial crime teams together was first discussed three years ago, as part of the establishment of the EFCB.
‘Investigation and prosecution of financial crime is all part of one process involving each team, so moving to this building will ensure Guernsey is able to police its finance industry effectively and properly into the future,’ he said.
‘We have been here about three months now and it has proved to be a nice working environment so far.’
Marie Randall was elected to the States in January 1924 at the age of 42, and was a States member for 31 years.
Her great-nephew Nic Jee, who attended the opening, was proud that the building would bear her name.
‘She was an incredible woman, and I had no idea that this was going to happen until a few weeks ago when I got invited,’ he said.
‘I was only five or so when she died so I don’t have too many memories of her, but she was very understated and just got on with things.’
‘It is an honour to be here today.’
