Organised crime 'A serious problem in the North'

An overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland believe the province has an organised crime problem, a public attitudes survey revealed today.

An overwhelming majority of people in the North believe the province has an organised crime problem, a public attitudes survey revealed today.

According to a poll of 1,182 adults during January, in the wake of last year’s £26.5m (€39m) Northern Bank robbery in Belfast, almost all (95%) of those surveyed thought there was a problem with organised crime in the North.

More than two-thirds (68%) believed the problem was very serious.

The survey also found over three-quarters of those interviewed (77%) felt republican and loyalist paramilitary organisations were mainly responsible for organised crime offences.

A total of 78% associated drug dealing with organised crime in the province.

Over half (59%) linked armed robbery to it and 39% associated protection and extortion rackets with it.

Three-quarters (75%) of those quizzed said the individual victim suffered as a result of organised crime, while 76% believed organised crime could lead to fear in the community.

More than half (56%) would report someone if they knew they were associated with organised crime and 69% said they would pass this information on to the police.

The vast majority of people surveyed (93%) thought the police had the main role in tackling organised crime.

The poll also revealed 62% believed the Government had a role in managing it.

Almost half of those interviewed (45%) felt they had a part to play. Out of this group, 72% believed they should report information to the police or Customs, while 61% were of the view that they should refuse to buy counterfeit or illicit goods.

Forty per cent had heard of the Organised Crime Task Force, while around 65% thought the organisation was effective or very effective in raising awareness about organised crime.