NATIONAL Crime Agency chiefs are struggling to fill key vacancies — causing disruptions to ongoing critical investigations.

Britain’s equivalent of the FBI is spending £14million on agency workers.

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It cannot recruit enough staff for key roles fighting serious organised crime, human trafficking and cyber crime.

The organisation revealed in its annual remuneration report that it is struggling to hire competent staff and has trouble retaining employees because of the relatively low wages offered.

The problem is affecting its operational capacity, with the report stating: “Unfilled vacancies disrupt ongoing investigations, and delay key enabling projects and intelligence assessments for critical operations.

“This necessitates the use of contingent labour or to outsource services.”

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The NCA now plans to introduce “stay interviews” aimed at retaining staff in critical roles who may be thinking of leaving.

It has also asked for pay rises in line with those received by the police for the 2024-25 period.

The NCA has been asked for comment.