The Impact and Application of Criminal Networks Theory in Local Neighbourhoods, and its Relationship with Local, National and International Criminality
| Published date | 01 March 2010 |
| Author | Lewis Benjamin |
| DOI | 10.1350/pojo.2010.83.1.495 |
| Date | 01 March 2010 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
LEWIS BENJAMIN
Warwickshire Police Force
THE IMPACT AND APPLICATION
OF CRIMINAL NETWORKS
THEORY IN LOCAL
NEIGHBOURHOODS, AND ITS
RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL,
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINALITY
This article attempts to explain how combining some of the
recent thinking about organised criminal networks, street gangs
and confidential intelligence with local problem-solving ini-
tiatives offers an integrated solution to tackling the harm
caused by criminals in communities. It does not claim to be a
panacea, but makes specific reference to the impact of criminal
networks at a neighbourhood level, and the relationship among
gangs, criminal networks and their precursor ‘peer groups’,
and touches on how international networks affect crime in
neighbourhoods. It also proposes possible collaborative solu-
tions for addressing this criminal challenge as part of an
integrated approach.
Keywords: criminal networks; neighbourhood policing;
integrated policing solutions; intelligence use; peer groups;
problem-solving approach; street gangs
Introduction
For many years some important areas of law enforcement
expressed the view that identifying and prioritising key criminals
in order to target them for enforcement action was counter-
productive. One of the unintended consequences for agencies
tackling organised criminality was the creation of a regime
where self-tasking and police activity were often based not on
intelligence, but on coincidence and chance.
In many cases, even where police activity was intelligence
led, the resulting action had only a vague focus on targeting
hotspot areas, in the hope it would deter or disrupt offenders.
Often the only effect was to displace criminals into neighbouring
areas thus at best having a temporary effect on crime, at worst
42 The Police Journal, Volume 83 (2010)
DOI: 10.1358/pojo.2010.83.1.495
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