Patterns of Crime in a Global Context

Global Patterns of Crime

Globalisation has given rise to new forms of crime that transcend national borders, such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and illegal drug trafficking.
The interconnectedness of global economies can fuel crime rates, as economic disparities between countries create circumstances conducive to criminal activities.
Transnational organised crime groups operate internationally, engaging in broad range of illegal activities, including drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking.

Cybercrime, crimes involving a computer and a network, has dramatically increased with the rise of the internet. Examples include hacking, online fraud and identity theft.
Illegal activities can be facilitated through dark web marketplaces, which enable the buying and selling of illegal goods and services, often shielded by encryption and anonymity.

The International Crime Victim Survey (ICVS) and the United Nations Surveys on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems are examples of attempts to collate international crime data.
Reporting and measuring crime internationally is challenging due to differences in legal definitions of crime, levels of reporting, police recording practices, and cultural context across countries.

International organisations such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Interpol collaborate with national law enforcement agencies to combat international crime.
Many countries have developed legislation and regulatory measures to tackle cybercrime, human trafficking, money laundering, corruption and other forms of international crime.
Preventative measures can include international agreements, improved cybersecurity infrastructure, public awareness campaigns, and improving socio-economic conditions in countries with high crime rates.

Stuart Hall argues that globalisation has led to an economy of disposability, which has resulted in an increase in crime rates.
Neoliberalism policy has led to increases in social inequality both within and between countries. Zygmunt Bauman, a sociologist, suggests that it leads to those left behind by globalisation turning to crime.
The exploitation of the poor in developing countries by corporations in developed countries is viewed by Marxists as a form of criminal activity, highlighting the relationship between global inequality and crime.