The disruption of crime

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight key research topics that should be considered and addressed in relation to the disruption of serious organised crime. The author’s remit has been not only to highlight key issues that require immediate attention, but also to suggest how such research could be developed, together with the potential significance of findings. First, a background to the topic is presented including a discussion as to why tackling serious organised crime matters together with the importance of disruption. Next, the role of academic research in potentially assisting practitioners disrupt organised crime is examined. To that aim, overarching considerations as to what every researcher in this field should be mindful of is outlined under the subheadings of thought leadership, operational relevance, unintended consequences, global interconnectivity, limitations of the law, political considerations and deliverability. Finally, seven research topics are identified as the recruitment of cyber-criminals, identifying legislative loopholes/enablers of serious organised crime, strategic communications, Private Public Partnerships and data sharing in the context of countering illicit financial flows, why the UK is the centre for money laundering, future proofing cyber-crime and complex crime. Each suggested research topic is further unpacked in turn in terms of why the subject is worthy of consideration, how the research could be developed and the potential significance of research findings. The chapter draws upon the operational experience of the author in law enforcement as well as her academic experience in countering serious organised crime and complex security threats.