The Beat Identity crime report Last week we mentioned the release of the Identity Crime and Misuse in Australia 2013-2014 report from the Attorney-General’s Department and Australian Institute of Criminology. Key findings include that identity …
The Beat Dismantling people smuggling networks With the current number of refugees arriving in Europe unseen since the end of WWII, European police are using social media to piece together people smuggling networks, utilising similar …
The beheading of 82-year-old archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad by Islamic State (IS) was met with universal disgust. Asaad worked as the chief archaeologist of the Roman temples, tombs and theatre at Palmyra for over 50 years …
The link between crime and terrorism was discussed during a seminar at the National Security Summit that we attended recently. The link has attracted broad attention overseas (such as here), but only limited discussion in …
The Beat Yakuza and mafia shake-ups Japanese police are bracing themselves for potential violence following reports of a split in one of the yakuza, or organised criminal syndicates that operate in Japan. Plans to move …
The Beat Ticket to fraud Fraudsters have taken advantage of a new target connected to our daily transactions—the troubled public transport ticket system Myki. Public Transport Victoria have refunded $4.2 million to international credit card …
A new report from ASPI’s Strategic Policing and Law Enforcement Program raises questions about the harms caused to Australian interests through serious and organised crime. Those harms extend to individuals and the community, businesses and …
The Beat Mafia link to poverty The mafia’s negative effect on Italian security is well documented. But research also indicates that organised crime is affecting the country’s economy. Researchers at Bocconi University have indicated that organised …
The Beat Threats to reporters of organised crime While links between organised criminals have been investigated extensively here in Australia, it’s troubling to hear that increased intimidation and violence has been used against journalists investigating …
The Beat Organised criminals target Australia Post The Australian Federal Police are expected to charge a Melbourne criminal syndicate formerly contracted to Australia Post with fraud, conspiracy to influence a Commonwealth official and dealing with …
The Beat Stopping the pirates Australians take out the dubious honour of being some of the top illegal downloaders of film and television content. A study commissioned by the Department of Communications reveals the top …
Along with the release this week of Australia’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Strengthening Our Resilience, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced an overhaul of Australia’s public terror alert system. The changes were agreed at the 40th meeting …