9:46am Friday 12th November 2010

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/8633568.Nelson_officer_broke_rules_2_years_before_arrest_for_running_crime_gang/

A POLICE sergeant who led a double life as a crime boss was disciplined for misconduct two years before his criminal activities were uncovered, it has been revealed.

Critics said ‘alarms bell should have rung’ when Salim Razaq was caught misusing police computer systems and tabs should have been kept on him.

Pendle Labour leader Mohammed Iqbal said allowing Razaq to continue unmonitored “called into question the judgement of senior officers”.

Razaq went on to take over his brother’s notorious drug and money laundering gang and was caught with sub-machine guns, live ammunition and £72,000 at his home.

The 33-year-old, who lived in Walton-le-Dale, was based at Nelson station during his nine year career.

He was discovered to have 'browsed' Lancashire's Sleuth databases during 'idle moments on night shifts', looking at intelligence on his family, friends and associates.

The officer was 'reprimanded at a local level' for misconduct in a public office in October 2006 after being caught.

By that time, his younger brother Hafiz Razaq, now 25, was serving a four-year sentence in a young offenders institute for conspiracy to blackmail.

The information was revealed during the start of a two-day sentencing of Razaq and others connected with the gang at Liverpool Crown Court.

His barrister, Andrew Menary QC, said he had been looking back at 'historic records' from several years about his brother Hafiz and attacks on his brother.

The court heard that Razaq had later been promoted to a response sergeant in January 2009 by superiors who gave him 'excellent reviews'.

He had graduated with a 2:1 from UCLAN, but his decision to join the police 'caused tension' amongst his family and local community, who were 'hostile towards the police'.

Mr Menary said: “Fundamentally his problem and eventual downfall was a result of his divided loyalty and thoroughly bad choices. His career choice put him at odds with his community.

“He was placed in a situation from October 2007 where he had to make a choice between loyalty to his family or to the police force.

“His close connection to crime and this tension made him vulnerable.”

At previous hearings, the court had been told that Razaq had conspired to intimidate a witness in late 2008 to try and prevent his brother being convicted for conspiracy to kidnap and ABH.

He eventually was in July 2009.

But Razaq's activities had brought him to the attention of Lancashire's most senior detectives and this time there was no second chance.

Rob Altham QC, prosecuting, outlined that from late 2008, Razaq had become his crime gang enforcer brother's 'agent on the outside'.

Mr Altham said: “He became actively involved in and assisted his brother's criminal lifestyle. He had not simply lost his way, he took a conscious decision.”

Mr Menary accepted that Razaq was facing a 'wretched' significant jail term, 'throughout which he will be constantly at risk'.

Speaking after the hearing, Coun Mohammed Iqbal, the leader of the Labour group on the council, said: “For the people of Pendle it is disappointing that the police knew what he was up to and did not shut him down.

“It should have set alarm bells ringing straight away and he should have been taken off important duties.

“This calls into question the judgment of senior officers in Lancashire.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said he was also ‘concerned’ by the revelation.

He said: “It does raise questions about how the police could have supervised this individual and not had any concerns about his behaviour.

“From what I had heard, he did not do anything to arouse suspicion, but this certainly begs a question.”

Sentencing of Razaq for misconduct in a public office, perverting the course of justice, money laundering, and possession of firearms and ammunition will take place on Tuesday.

Hafiz Razaq will also be sentenced with perverting the course of justice and money laundering, and their mother Gulshan Razaq, 58, for perverting the course of justice.

Also to be sentenced for money laundering are 'right hand man' 25-year-old Jason Lawrenson, who helped the Razaq brothers collect debts, 'runner' Daniel Cookson, 25, of Yew Tree Avenue, Ribbleton, and Louis Bamber, who admitted possession of a firearm.