Tracking OCG co-operation can enable police to predict and prevent drug surges and spikes in violence

19th February 2026Sarah Gibbons, Contributing Editor, Policing Insight

A study of drug violence dynamics on Merseyside has highlighted the importance of understanding the “informal governance mechanisms” employed by organised crime groups (OCGs), and has led to the creation of a ‘co-operation index’ tool which can help police to more effectively target resources and prevent increased violence between OCGs, as researcher Dr Andrea Giovannetti explained to Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons.

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Tracking OCG co-operation can enable police to predict and prevent drug surges and spikes in violence

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