– The importance and protection of natural and environmental values have gained more emphasis recently, partly because of the public discussion related to issues around climate change as well as the increased endangerment of original biodiversity and life forms, says Arto Hankilanoja , Chief Superintendent of the National Police Board.
Hankilanoja is the Chairman of the Finnish National Group for the Monitoring of Environmental Offences. The monitoring group consists of key environmental authorities and pre-trial investigators.
According to a new report by the Finnish National Group for the Monitoring of Environmental Offences, the number of crimes reported to the pre-trial investigators related to impairment of the environment (188 reports), aggravated impairment of the environment (6) and environmental violations (222) has declined. In contrast, the number of crimes related to nature conservation (53), careless handling (318) and explosives (145) has risen.
Environmental authorities play a key role in the prevention of environmental crime
Environmental control authorities play a key role in the development of environmental protection and control, and thus also in the prevention of environmental crime.
According to Chief Superintendent Hankilanoja, the success of the preventive work done by environmental control authorities is conducive to reducing the number of environmental crimes reported to pre-trial investigators. The active role and activities of regional cooperation groups are emphasised in the development of cooperation between authorities.
– It is expected that new, even stricter policies will be introduced in the coming years that will lead to increased costs in the form of, for example, requirements for reducing emissions as well as the proper treatment of waste and soil. Thus environmental crimes where the perpetrator seeks to evade the increased costs of proper emission and waste management as well as the required investments in protection may become increasingly beneficial to the perpetrator, says Hankilanoja.
The restoration costs can be significant even in the case of seemingly minor environmental crimes.
Criminal activity related to circular economy technology to increase
Criminal activity related to circular economy technology is likely to increase in the coming years. Cases related to biofuels, among other things, have already been investigated in Western European countries. Organised crime seeks out areas in society where the greatest possible criminal proceeds are available with a low risk of being caught.
The situation with regard to environmental crime emphasises the smooth cooperation between supervisory authorities and pre-trial investigators, the prevention and detection of criminal offences, the confiscation of criminal proceeds, communications, and the implementation of the national strategy and action plan for the prevention of environmental crime.
Report on environmental crime on the Police website at https://bit.ly/2YVyPvY (only in Finnish, language versions to be published later)
