The NRW Ministry of the Interior had invited participants to the symposium "360-degree measures against clan crime". A total of around 600 participants and 70 representatives of the press gathered at the "Haus der Technik" in Essen to learn about and exchange information on criminal clan members.
In addition to criminologists, federal and state police officers, lawyers, Islamic scholars and theologians, the participants also included representatives from customs, public order offices, job centers and immigration authorities. In various presentations, workshops and at numerous information stands, visitors were able to find out about current measures to combat clan crime, the close-knit network of the authorities, as well as ways of prevention.
In his welcoming speech, NRW Minister of the Interior Herbert Reul emphasized: "With the symposium, we are offering a platform where experts can exchange the latest findings on the phenomenon of clan crime and form networks. Because only close and interlinked cooperation between the police and other authorities makes it possible to exhaust all legal means against criminal clan members." A long-term strategy in which the police maintain a constant presence and act consistently is particularly important. "In North Rhine-Westphalia, we are relying on a three-pronged approach: we are constantly making pinpricks with raids and checks, we are fighting organized crime through intensive investigative work and we want to help those who want to break away from criminal structures to get out," said Interior Minister Reul.
Frank Richter, Chief of Police in Essen, was particularly concerned about the safety of citizens, but also that of his employees: "Our colleagues do a good and professional job 24 hours a day. I experience that every day. We have a police force that we can rely on. But as managers, we also have to stand behind our employees and make it clear: We do not tolerate insults or physical attacks against colleagues." The Mayor of Essen, Thomas Kufen, was pleased with the trusting cooperation between the city and the police. He welcomed the decisive action taken by all involved against criminal clan members. "In Essen, there is great tolerance for people who want to join us and for different cultures, religions and lifestyles. At the same time, however, we also show zero tolerance towards crime. We want to stand up to the criminal structures of the clans."
Problem-oriented approach important
In a keynote speech, legal and Islamic scholar Prof. Dr. Dr. Mathias Rohe from the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg shed light on the background to clan crime and possible counter-strategies from a scientific perspective. In order to take effective action against clans, it is first necessary to understand their structures: Where they come from, how they grew up and what special social norms apply to them. Many have experienced massive discrimination in their countries of origin - including by the state. Often, only the family offered protection. This is one of the reasons for the great loyalty to family members and the complete isolation from the outside world. The men are also brought up from an early age to show strength and support the family, which makes it all the more difficult for them to break out of the whole system. The loud, impulsive and aggressive appearance in public is also typical of this. Rohe emphasized: "You need a problem-oriented approach, such as a long-term and low-threshold police presence." The whole thing is a marathon - not a sprint. If a passing patrol is shown the middle finger, the person should be checked and, if necessary, taken to the police station, and consistently so: "That won't lead to them waving cheerfully next time instead - but they might just look away at some point." It is also important to have a holistic family policy that not only provides more women's shelters, but also offers men opportunities to leave criminal structures. "You also have to remember that not all clan members are criminals. Many lead a decent life. These people could act as bridge builders," says the expert.
"You have nothing to say to me!"
In the foyer, symposium participants were able to find out more about various topics relating to clan crime at a total of seven "anchor points". Experts from the police authorities, the LKA, customs, the fire department and the state chancellery answered questions from interested parties at the information stands on the topics of "Operational experience", "Shisha bars", "Carposing", "Asset recovery vehicles" and "Follow the money - no room for financial shadow worlds". At the anchor point "Operational experiences", it immediately became clear what kind of behavior clan members confront police and fire department officers with. The information stand was adorned with posters with clear quotes: "You have to shut the fuck up. I can do whatever I want with you!" (Essen police, January 2019, vehicle check), "Fuck off cops, this is our street!" (Düren police, November 2016, first reaction when a patrol arrives) or "You don't have to talk to my wife. You don't talk to my child either!" (Essen police, January 2019) are just a few examples. Sven Lewandowitz and Christian Richartz from Essen police headquarters also reported on their personal experiences. "During normal traffic checks, people initially refuse to cooperate at all. You are threatened and insulted. "You have nothing to say to me, you sons of bitches", or "We know where you live" are phrases we often hear. The clan members like to pick out the weakest link in the chain for such threats - for example, the colleague who has only been on patrol for three months," says Sven Lewandowitz.
Other family members are called in to help even for the slightest reason." Christian Richartz: "For example, if a patrol stops because a car is parked in the second row, reinforcements are immediately called for within the family. The bigger the police operation, the more people turn up." The officers would like to see the justice system take more consistent action. Even if it is clear that prison sentences are only partially effective. "A prison sentence tends to increase the reputation within the clan - because you have stood up for the family. That's why you have to get their money, their cars and their driving licenses. That's what hurts," says Sven Lewandowitz.
"Follow the money"
This is precisely the area that Michael Reska, head of the "Financing Organized Crime, Terrorism" department at the State Office of Criminal Investigation and member of the task force against clan crime, is concerned with. During the symposium, he answered questions about the NRW police's so-called "follow-the-money" approach. "It's about getting an overview of the assets and looking: does a person's legal income match the assets they have? And if not, where does the money come from?" This involves not only large sums of cash, but also high-value vehicles, expensive jewelry or real estate. "The LKA works closely with the tax investigation department and the judiciary within the task force. We have already had good experiences with this in this short time," explained Reska. The distances are short, which makes the work easier. The LKA also wants to intensify the exchange with Berlin, Bremen and Lower Saxony. "These are the federal states where criminal clans are also particularly active."
Exchange among experts
On four platforms, each with three "topic islands", the symposium participants were able to exchange ideas under professional guidance and jointly develop innovative approaches to combating clan crime. The four platforms on the areas of "Prevention", "Networking", "Mission Perception" and "Fighting Crime" dealt with topics such as "Exit Programs", "Cooperation with the Judiciary", "Personal Mission Experiences and Stresses" and "Exchange of Information on Clan Families and Offenders" in the individual workshops. Renowned experts were available to answer questions in the workshops, such as the Berlin senior public prosecutor Petra Leister, who is responsible for organized crime. In the workshop she led, there was an exchange of experiences on combating clan crime across national borders. In this context, Leister reported on her experiences in the German capital in connection with the seizure of real estate.
Staying on the ball
At the end, all participants agreed that criminal members of family clans can only be successfully combated if everyone pulls together. A major challenge is not only fighting crime, but also preventing it and offering opportunities to get out. Last but not least, staying power is important. Dr. Daniela Lesmeister, Head of the Police Department at the Ministry of the Interior, emphasizes: "The narrowly targeted pinpricks are unsettling the scene. some clan members fear that they will no longer be able to continue their business. Others assume that the police will soon run out of steam. This will not be the case. The results of this day form the basis for further measures and projects. The other side can dress warmly."
Clan crime will continue to be consistently pursued
The recent raids in North Rhine-Westphalia were carried out by police officers together with employees from the public order offices, customs, tax offices, building authorities, trade supervisory authorities and immigration offices. The public prosecutor's offices are also involved in these intensive night-time checks every time. "This networked approach has proven its worth. We will therefore continue to expand our cooperation with our security partners in the future," explains NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul. "It was high time we started with measures such as intensified raids. And we need to be even more consistent than we have been so far." He is convinced that the raids will have a long-term effect and are part of the solution. The minister's aim: "We want to disrupt, not leave the perpetrators in peace. They can no longer be safe."
