National Crime Agency director sacked for security breach

Nikki Holland as been dismissed with immediate effect

One of the UK's most senior law enforcement chiefs has been sacked for security breaches.

Nikki Holland was responsible for specialist investigations at the National Crime Agency (NCA), tackling people smuggling and child abuse.

She joined the NCA after holding roles as assistant chief constable at south Wales and Merseyside's police forces.

But the former Queen's Police Medal awardee was found to have committed gross misconduct in her latest role.

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The NCA confirmed on Friday she had been struck off after appearing in front of a misconduct panel.

The agency confirmed in a statement that "former director of investigations Nikki Holland has been found to have committed gross misconduct".

"As a result of the panel's findings she has been dismissed from her position with immediate effect," it added.

"While the panel did not find any malign intent in the breaches, the NCA expects the highest standards of conduct from all of our officers. Where those standards are not met appropriate action will be taken."

Her appointment to South Wales Police was queried by then MP Elfyn Llwyd as a report into a probe she led into the force had yet to be published.

As assistant chief constable at the force she was responsible for specialist crime, which included major crime and force intelligence. She also held the same regional role for Tarian (Regional Organised Crime Unit) and Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit.

Originally from Liverpool, she left Wales for Merseyside in 2015 and joined the NCA in April 2017, where she was also in charge of probing county lines drug dealing and economic crime.