Organised crime and the environment: the British experience

Abstract:

Organised environmental crime is a growing and increasingly controversial international problem. This article examines the current situation in the United Kingdom. It begins with a brief historical survey which suggests that much environmental crime has been a highly organised - and very profitable - activity since the introduction of 'Forest Law' in the early Middle Ages. It then discusses the nature of organised environmental crime in contemporary Britain. A distinction is drawn between the illegal activities of ostensibly 'legitimate' businesses and the activities of criminal gangs and 'firms'. It tries to show that many of the latter are engaged in a range of illegal activities. These often involve violence. There follows a discussion of relevant economic issues. It is argued that environmental offenders can make very substantial profits at minimal risk. In these areas, crime often makes good business sense. Attention is given to specific areas of criminal activity. These include unauthorised waste disposal, illegal advertising and wildlife crime. It concludes that these activities will remain highly profitable - and widespread - as long as sentences for environmental offences remain derisory and (more importantly) as long as most offenders are not prosecuted.