The British government appointed on Friday a former spy chief to head a new national police unit organized in the US FBI's style with the main aim to fight organized crime.

Sir Stephen Lander, the former head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 for six years until 2002, will head the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA), British Home Secretary David Blunkett said.

Local media said it is the first time an ex-spymaster has played such a crucial role in British policing.

"Sir Stephen Lander has considerable experience of the management of intelligence, decisive leadership and proven track record of public service which make him an exceptional asset to the organization," Blunkett said in a statement.

A Home Office spokesman said Lander, who had a 25-year career in MI5 and is to take office next month, will be responsible for "setting the organization's vision and overall strategy."

Blunkett also named the current head of the National Crime Squad, Bill Hughes, as Director General of the agency. Hughes will be in operational control of its investigations.

The new body will bring together more than 5,000 staff from the National Crime Squad, National Criminal Intelligence Service and the investigation units of Customs and Excise and the Immigration Service. It is the biggest shake-up in policing in England and Wales for 40 years.

It will wage war against drug smugglers, people traffickers, internet paedophiles, sophisticated fraudsters and other organizedcriminals.

The agency will also be authorized new powers such as the use of evidence from phone tapping, plea bargaining for witnesses, anda more sophisticated witness protection program.

Organized crime costs Britain about 40 billion pounds (73.23 billion US dollars) per year.

Source: Xinhua