Case Studies

Outlaw motorcycle gangs

by Mark Rowe

The policing agency of the European Union, Europol, hosted an expert meeting on Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs). The event was arranged by the Dutch National Intelligence and Expertise Centre (LIEC) under the Ministry of Justice and Security, which drew around 70 police officers, prosecutors and ministries from 15 EU member states, such as Karel Schuurman, Head of LIEC.

Europol says that the gangs have a strong international dimension with an established transnational network and are present in all EU states; with a large capacity for territorial expansion. New outlaw motorcycle gangs are entering the field and the number of street gangs is increasing, says Europol. This not only has an impact on organised crime, but can also affect the lives of ordinary people in fear of crime by these groups.

Aa EU states have experienced crimes related to OMCGs, countries have Europol says often gone beyond traditional law enforcement measures and taken an integrated and administrative approach to tackle OMCG-related crime and related issues. A multi-agency approach combines criminal investigations with measures taken by other government bodies, such as tax authorities, customs and local and regional municipal authorities.

Europol says that it sees the need for an international and cross-border exchange of experience and closer cooperation for tackling all the challenges presented by OMCGs.

Wil van Gemert, Deputy Executive Director of Europol, says: “The EU Internal Security Strategy highlights how it is the main duty of our governments to keep our citizens safe. To step up to this goal and considering the many faces crime can have, we, as law enforcement and other authorities, need to take a multidisciplinary approach in combating this. I am therefore delighted to see participants from different authorities and EU Member States, all working on the same goal in one way or another, coming here to Europol for a high-level exchange and to find new solutions to fight organised crime.”

Related News

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing