Organised
Crime
We conduct and commission research that examines the nature, impact and extent of organised crime. The Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) estimates that the social and economic costs to the UK from more serious forms of organised crime alone are upwards of £20 billion a year.
In particular our research assesses the:
- harm and costs resulting from organised crime activity
- impacts of organised crime on communities
- organisation and methods associated with organised criminality
- characteristics, motivation and criminal careers of organised criminals
- effectiveness of law enforcement, regulatory and criminal justice responses to organised crime (including the effectiveness of support provided to victims and witnesses)
What is organised crime?
Organised crime covers a diverse range of criminal activities carried out by both established criminal groups and more fluid criminal networks. There are many different definitions of organised crime but most include two or more people committing crimes over a prolonged or indefinite period in pursuit of profit or power.
Organised criminals operate internationally as well as on a local or regional level. They can be involved in serious offending such as high-value frauds, extortion, drugs trafficking and organised immigration crime but also in less serious offending such as organised shop theft and distraction burglary.
Key publications
See also
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Crown Copyright 2008
