Push to set up Europol

The Government is pushing to create the European police liaison force - Europol - despite opposition from some fellow European Union members.

Britain is keen to set up Europol, which will pool sensitive police intelligence throughout the European Union and help tackle organised crime, by the summer when the British presidency ends. At a meeting of justice and home affairs yesterday, Home Secretary Jack Straw put pressure on Belgium and Greece which are yet to ratify the agreement- to sign up as soon as possible.

- Michael Streeter