The danger is intangible. For now at least. Because before it becomes real, it is often virtual. For the first time, the international police organization Interpol released a report on global crime trends on Wednesday. This is not publicly visible because it is made available to the law enforcement authorities. But the clear result is official: More than 60 percent of the police officers surveyed for the report see cybercrime and financial crime as the greatest threat worldwide. More than 75 percent expect cases of child sexual abuse online to increase significantly over the next three to five years. In the coming year, Interpol will also lead the fight against Internet crime in Austria.
Flag handed over to Austria
Police and government leaders from 195 member countries will travel to Austria’s capital in November 2023. Interpol is celebrating its 100th anniversary in Vienna with a general assembly – one of the most important international networking meetings at the highest police level. A total of 1500 participants are expected. The Federal Criminal Police Office will prepare and carry out the celebrations – an organizational and security challenge.
The starting signal has already been given: During this year’s General Assembly in India, the Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah handed over the Interpol flag to the Austrian delegation, led by Andreas Holzer, Director of the Federal Criminal Police Office.
“Cross-border crime requires cross-border cooperation. Hardly any other institution stands for the networked, joint and cross-border fight against criminals like Interpol,” says Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (VP).
Interpol is also returning to its roots. The largest and most important police organization in the world was founded in Vienna in 1923. Two principles were enshrined in the Rules of Procedure that are still valid today: the reservation of national law and the limitation of cooperation to criminal offenses.
“We want to use this anniversary year to intensify cooperation with Interpol and all member states and expand it, for example in the fight against the people-smuggling mafia,” says Karner.
Source: Nachrichten
