Fighting crime

75 million people in the EU fall victim to crime every year. The EU works closely with national authorities and EU agencies to stop cross-border crime and organised crime.

Together they target serious crimes such as smuggling of humans, drugs, or firearms.

What the EU is doing to fight organised crime

Organised crime is a major threat to European citizens, businesses and institutions, as well as to the European economy. The EU and its member states are taking a number of measures against top criminal activities in Europe in several areas.

Drug trafficking

Identifying and targeting the criminal networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of various types of drugs.

Human trafficking

Targeting criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people for the purpose of economic gain.

Cybercrime

Strengthening Europe's resilience against cyber threats and ensuring reliable digital services and tools.

Fight against crime in numbers

The EU has an integrated approach to internal security and law enforcement, which is coordinated by the EU platform EMPACT. The efforts of this platform led to significant results in 2025.

More results of the EU's fight against organised crime

The EU's work to counter terrorism

Following a series of attacks since 2015, the European Union has adopted various measures to stop terrorism. From preventing terrorists from buying weapons or building bombs, right through to trying to counter radicalisation in the first place.

The EU's response to terrorism

Meet Zita, a victim of human trafficking

Embarking on a long and dangerous journey to escape poverty, thousands of victims of human trafficking, just like Zita, flee their home country only to find themselves forced into domestic servitude.