From ports to streets: The spread of organised crime violence in Europe
Across the European Union, police forces and intelligence services are recording a noticeable increase in violence linked to organised crime. Once largely hidden from public view, this violence is now spilling into residential neighbourhoods and public areas, especially around transport and logistics hubs. Europol has warned that violent incidents have become more frequent, more severe, and more visible. They are often tied to disputes within the drug trade.
The problem is most acute around Europe’s major ports and transport corridors, which serve as gateways for illicit goods. Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg and other hubs have become central nodes in the European narcotics trade, particularly for cocaine and synthetic drugs. Rival networks fight for access to these key entry points, leading to confrontations that increasingly affect nearby communities.
Belgium and the Netherlands have reported a string of shootings, explosions and intimidation cases related to drug trafficking, while similar tensions have been noted in Spain, France and Germany. In Scandinavia, particularly Denmark and Sweden, gang-related violence dominates the picture.
Most profitable segment of organised crime
The European drugs market is estimated to generate roughly 30 billion euros per year, making it the most profitable segment of organised crime in the Union. Europol estimates that more than one third of criminal networks active in Europe are involved in the production or trafficking of drugs. The growth of this market and the entry of new actors have intensified competition, which in turn fuels violence as a method of control or retaliation. Europe’s dual role as a production centre for synthetic substances and a key transit zone for cocaine from Latin America makes it a focal point for international criminal groups.
Europol has also warned of a troubling development: the recruitment of minors by criminal networks. Teenagers are being contacted through social media platforms and offered small payments or status in exchange for carrying out violent acts, including assaults and killings. The practice has been described as “violence as a service”, a sign of how digital tools are reshaping the operational landscape of organised crime.
Offenders and victims
Andy Kraag, head of Europol’s European Serious and Organised Crime Centre, has emphasised that these young people are both offenders and victims, often unaware of the consequences of their involvement and exposed to severe risks, including reprisals against their families.
The broader impact of this trend extends beyond law enforcement. Rising violence erodes public trust, undermines local security, and places additional strain on judicial and policing systems. At the same time, the increasing use of encrypted communication, cryptocurrencies and online marketplaces makes criminal activity more difficult to detect and disrupt.
The European Union has responded by expanding cooperation between Member States and strengthening coordination with international partners. New judicial and investigative frameworks aim to address cross-border aspects of organised crime and its links to firearms trafficking and financial crime.
Yet officials acknowledge that policing alone cannot resolve the problem. Preventive strategies - particularly those aimed at education, social inclusion and online safety - will be crucial to counter the recruitment of vulnerable individuals and to curb the normalisation of violence.
This article is part of a Belga English series offering insights into some of the most pressing challenges facing Belgium and Europe today. The series examines interconnected issues ranging from organised crime and public security to the pressures facing the police, the justice system, and the mental health sector. It also considers national developments within a broader European context.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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