Scottish health boards fear organised-crime gangs will target coronavirus vaccines, we can reveal, as experts warn international crime syndicates are making billions from the pandemic.
Police Scotland and Scottish Government officials are working with health chiefs to advise on the security of the first doses, which could start arriving at hospitals within weeks.
International crime-fighting agency Interpol has warned vaccines are “liquid gold” to organised crime gangs while a former head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency said stock could be stolen from health board storage units.
Concerns were raised about the security of vaccines by one of NHS Tayside’s public health directors in a meeting held to discuss the rollout. Lynne Hamilton, public health programme director, raised a concern about potential thefts in discussion with board’s Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Board. She said: “The security of the drug may be an issue as it may be seen as a commodity.”
Interim Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher agreed to take these concerns to the Tayside Resilience Group, a meeting that involves representatives from Police Scotland.
Former head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency Graeme Pearson said: “Stock could be stolen in volume during the transit or storage process and redirected for transnational wholesale sales. At that level there are profits to be made.
“Organised crime would be interested in that prospect and would require inside knowledge to ascertain where and when an appropriate target was available.
“Thereafter I imagine the remaining challenges for the criminals would include exporting the load to a receiving country where an organised crime group could retail the stock.”
Mr Pearson said health boards should work with the authorities to ensure the security of stock and police should monitor crime groups likely to take an interest in vaccines.
He added: “Police Scotland will likely encourage health officials to provide strong security around the stocks.”
Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) warned last week the targeting of storage facilities and distribution networks by criminal gangs is expected.
The organisation issued updated guidelines for police forces around the world which underlined the need for secure storage and delivery of supplies. The report recommended using either private security, military or law enforcement escorts to secure deliveries and prevent thefts or attacks.
Jürgen Stock, the Secretary General of Interpol, said: “High demand combined with a limited supply will make Covid-19 vaccines the equivalent of liquid gold to organised crime networks as soon as one is available.
“This is why it is essential for action to be taken now, to both protect the legitimate supply chain for when the vaccine is ready, and to prevent the production and distribution of fake Covid-19 vaccines.”
A paper published by experts on pandemic crime trends in September predicted the rollout of vaccines could lead to a “crime storm”.
The report, by professor Graham Farrell of the University of Leeds and professor Shane Johnson of University College London, said: “Huge increases in theft and robberies can be expected, including interceptions of shipments, counterfeiting and other fraud, and black markets (with high prices), promoting corruption and organised crime. Monetary costs will be in the billions.
“Human costs will arise as vaccine distribution is disrupted and delayed, and as counterfeits are used by unsuspecting victims. Vaccine distribution will be hindered and effectiveness reduced.
“Theft and robberies of shipments, of distribution centres, even of individuals (depending on distribution methods) are likely to be widespread: modus operandi will vary greatly from stick-ups and hijacks to faking of manifests. Theft by identification fraud – individuals falsely receiving vaccination – will occur during distribution. Espionage to steal production details has already been reported.”
Organised crime gangs have already made billions from the pandemic. Operation Pangea and other initiatives conducted by Interpol from March 2020 onwards have shown an increase in fake or counterfeit medical items available on the market, including fake vaccines, antiviral medications, Covid test kits, personal protective equipment and hand sanitisers
Interpol said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has offered an opportunity for fast cash as predatory criminals take advantage of the high market demand for personal protection and hygiene products.”
NHS Tayside said: “We are working closely with the Scottish Government and partner agencies, including health and social care partnerships, local authorities and Police Scotland, to ensure secure delivery of all aspects of the vaccination programme.”
Police Scotland said: “The storage of medication is a matter for individual health authorities, however we will work with all partners to offer advice and support where required.”
The Scottish Government said: “Our Flu Vaccination and Covid-19 Vaccine programme board is considering how Covid-19 vaccines will be deployed, including logistics such as who will deliver vaccinations and how they will be stored. Discussions on security arrangements for vaccine supplies are ongoing.”
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