OPINION: Recent operations by the Australian Federal Police against organised crime have brought the activities of the ‘ndrangheta Calabrian mafia under the spotlight; but Professor of Criminology Dr Anna Sergi argues that the organisation has been well-established across Australia for many decades, and any attempt to take the ‘ndrangheta seriously will require sustained political will and resources, rather than a sporadic focus on drug importation.

ANALYSIS: While mafia myths of traditional, family-based organised crime networks expanding internationally still loom large in the media, new research suggests the European reality is one of co-operation between different groups, rather than exporting the Italian crime structure abroad; Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex outlines the key findings of the Countering regional Italian Mafia expansion (CRIME) project.

ANALYSIS: Ports have long been magnets for serious and organised crime - but in the post-Brexit environment these risks are magnified and the capacity of the UK police to counter them limited by the end of access to European databases. Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex analyses the risks.

ANALYSIS : While many commentators are asking how 'organised crime' is adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, Dr Anna Sergi warns that such questions may be missing the point. Rather, we should be looking at variability of organised crime structures and activities, and preparing ourselves for a new research agenda in a changed and unknown landscape.

ANALYSIS: Media reports suggest a surge in 'Albanian mafia' involvement in drug trafficking and organised crime. However, Anna Sergi of the University of Essex warns that this misrepresents the role of Albanian offenders and networks, and damages our understanding of the complexities of organised crime, and the global Albanian diaspora.

ANALYSIS: A new organised crime strategy was launched by the government in early November. However, Anna Sergi, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Essex, warns that seeing organised crime as a national security threat is a poor way of understanding its social and economic roots.

OPINION: How could the Brexit vote affect the UK's ability to deal with organised crime? Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex argues that the UK's isolation could be game changing for criminal gangs – and in the worst way.

ANALYSIS: What is the role of local authorities in the fight against organised crime? Ahead of a Public Policy Exchange event on 7th June, Dr Anna Sergi of the University of Essex warns that none of our communities are immune from the threat.