Terrorism in the EU: Threats & Trends EAASP Annual Conference Dubrovnik, April 2014 Europol Public Information
Introduction What is Europol? European Union law enforcement agency Handles criminal intelligence and provide analysis Serious international crime and terrorism Two or more EU Member States No coercive powers
Europol Public Information Europol Approximately 800 Europol staff Specialists – Experts Criminal Analysts Seconded National Experts 168 Liaison Officers (in house) Liaison Bureaux of 28 Member States Liaison Bureaux of 9 non-EU MS Countries International organisations - Interpol ICPO Secure communication networks: SIENA Databases: EIS, AWFs
Europol Public Information Multi-agency approach
Europol Public Information 55 Cooperation agreements 19 Strategic cooperation agreements 10 Operational cooperation agreements
Europol Public Information Terrorism in the EU
Europol Public Information Attacks & arrests
Europol Public Information Figures 2012 Attacks: 219Arrests: 537
Europol Public Information Common Activities FINANCING Hostage taking outside EU Extortion EXPLOSIVES Firearms and Improvised Incendiary Devices Chemical precursors COMMUNICATION Internet use growing – communication platform Social media
Europol Public Information Trends / Threats Diverse range of threats from religiously motivated terrorism Arrests for and investigations into “Home-Grown” terrorism Travel for terrorist purposes - Syria, MENA, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia
Europol Public Information Trends / Threats (2) Dissident Republicans remain active in Northern Ireland. Increasing use of violence by Greek anarchists, facilitated by firearms The Internet and social media continue to facilitate violent right-wing extremism
Europol Public Information TE-SAT /5/2014
Thank you
Difference between Europol and Interpol Different structure and different possibilities Interpol = network of police agencies in countries worldwide supports the EU Member States No competition between the organisations Cooperation agreement signed in 2001
Operational Centre 24/7 Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) Mobile Office Financial operational support “On the spot” support Operational coordination
Europol Public Information Terrorist Organisation & Methods 16