Society has key role to play in combating organised crime

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Jan 2004

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, has welcomed the contribution of Professor Ronald Goldstock to combating organised crime, but highlighted the key role that society can play in promoting a culture of lawfulness.

Stephen Farry stated: "Alliance acknowledges the important role that Professor Goldstock has played in intensifying efforts to combat organised crime in Northern Ireland. With the creation of the Organised Crime Taskforce and the Assets Recovery Agency, there is a better understanding of the level of organised crime and a growing record of success. However, there is clearly a long way to go.

"I particularly welcome Prof Goldstock's recognition of the grip that paramilitaries and organised crime can have over certain communities, and the way that they are allowed to mark out territory through illegal flags and murals.

"Ultimately, it is society itself that must defeat organised crime and paramilitarism. Alliance believes that civic society, including the churches and schools, have a key role in promoting a culture of lawfulness.

"For example, people should understand how counterfeiting of goods undermines the mainstream economy or how paramilitarism can destroy the fabric of a community. Some pioneering work on this is being carried out in some inner cities in the United States, Sicily and other areas plagued by organised crime."