Commission des Libertés Civiles, Justice et Affaires Intérieures (LIBE), Parlement Européen
Didier Bigo, Hager Ben Jaffel, James Sheptycki
Scientific research demonstrates that organised crime is neither as international, nor as organised as often represented by media and law enforcement agencies. This note aims at presenting a different picture of international organised crime. In its first part it analyses the criteria concerning the definition of international organised crime and suggests that at European level the terminology of « serious crime » might be more accurate. The second part reviews and critically discusses the correlation between the European policing structures and their choices and constraints. It expresses scepticism about the rise of new analytical methods and models like « intelligence-led policing » and suggests alternatives. It recommends overcoming the exclusive reliance on insider knowledge and police sector data by drawing inspiration from other policing models and by including independent personalities in the analysis panels for the setting up of future serious crime threat assessment reports.