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Organized Crime and Violence in Local Communities: A Study of an ‘Ordinary’ Setting in the United Kingdom

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  • Paolo Campana
  • Cecilia Meneghini
  • Alyssa Knisley

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of organized crime (OC) on community-level violence outside settings traditionally associated with OC. Leveraging a large-scale police crime incident dataset from Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, it shows that OC has a dual effect of violence-enhancer and violence-suppressor: higher OC presence is associated with higher rates of violence; however, a greater prevalence of OC members among the offenders’ population is associated with a decrease in overall violence. This reflects the role of OC in generating higher-risk environments while providing order in illegal markets. Crucially, this dual effect can be identified also in non-traditional OC settings, suggesting that the dangerousness of such organizations should not be underestimated even in ‘ordinary’ settings and highlighting the need for early interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Campana & Cecilia Meneghini & Alyssa Knisley, 2026. "Organized Crime and Violence in Local Communities: A Study of an ‘Ordinary’ Setting in the United Kingdom," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 66(1), pages 148-167.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:crimin:v:66:y:2026:i:1:p:148-167.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/bjc/azaf013
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