The Cooperation between Europol and Interpol in the Field of Combating Crossborder Crimes

The activities of organized crime networks are now more complex, diverse and international than they have ever been. Terrorists are increasingly inspired by events far from home, and conspire across borders to prepare attacks. Internetfacilitated organized crime will continue to increase in line with uptake of broadband internet and mobile devices, finding new offenders and victims in areas of the world where internet access was previously limited. Despite the best efforts of local and national law enforcement agencies throughout the EU, they cannot succeed in isolation. A multilateral approach is indispensable and EUROPOL’s crucial role is increasingly recognized. EUROPOL additionallycooperates externally with 18 non-EU countries, nine EU bodies and agencies and three other international organizations (all listed in this report). Cooperation with INTERPOL and EU agencies such as Eurojust, CEPOL and Frontex greatly enhances EUROPOL’s overall reach (General Report on Europol’s activities in 2011).INTERPOL, working in conjunction with police in its member countries, carried out 29 operations during 2011. Operationswere conducted in all regions of the world and targeted a variety of different crime types. A number of operations were organized and conducted with national and regional law enforcement partners (INTERPOL`s annual report for 2011).