First of all, for a description of the approach to organised crime up until a few years ago, reference should be made to the policy document, "De georganiseerde criminaliteit in Nederland; dreigingsbeeld en plan van aanpak" (Organised Crime in the Netherlands; Analysis of the Threat and Plan of Approach) and to the progress reports following it, the last of which was sent to the Lower House on 16 May 1995 (organised crime progress report of 16 May 1995; parliamentary papers 1994-95 22838 no. 14). These reports show that the investigation of criminal organisations by specialised teams is beginning to be successful. A separate unit has been created at the Public Prosecutions Department to coordinate the approach of the police and the judicial authorities to organised crime; it is headed by a chief public prosecutor specially freed from other duties. The national investigation team which has previously been announced will become operational this year. It will concentrate in particular on financial investigations and on providing assistance in investigations instigated by other countries. It will therefore be primarily involved in the investigation of criminal organisations which operate internationally. This will mean that it will be possible to provide proper assistance with investigations into drug trafficking which have been started abroad.
Naturally, should there be any such need, the results and conclusions of the parliamentary enquiry will be taken into account in any further decision-making on this subject. What is already clear is that the investigation of criminal organisations will be stepped up in the years ahead. As soon as the conclusions of the parliamentary enquiry are known, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Interior will submit to the Lower House an updated plan of approach to organised crime.
As is well known, it is now much easier to carry out financial investigations. The government is encouraged by the cooperation provided by the banks, industry and relevant professions in combating the re-investment of the proceeds of crime. Partly as a result of the national and regional activities of the National Platform for the Control of Crime - a cooperative body involving industry, the professions and government, chaired by the Minister of Justice - people are significantly more alert to and able to resist creeping infiltration by criminal organisations. A number of municipal authorities are also taking measures to ensure that criminal organisations are given as little chance as possible. The up-dated plan of approach will also devote considerable attention to the use of administrative measures to combat organised crime.