Tendencies in Development of Modern Crime in Poland

Abstract

The article deals with social, political and economic transitions in Poland after 1989 had a decisive impact on the dynamics of crime, its structure, and the appearance of new forms of criminal activities. New tendencies in the world, especially easy access to firearms, the opening of state borders and multidirectional migrations enabling the creation of multinational criminal connections have also had an impact on the roots and dimensions of crime. In 1989, 547 589 crimes were reported in Poland, whereas in 1998 this number was doubled and amounted to 1 073 042, and in 2002 it reached 1 404 229. The detection rate in the last years has oscillated between 47 and 50%. The changes in crime, which have occurred in consecutive years, have not meant merely a growth in the number of crimes. One can observe some transformation in each category.
Since the beginning of the 90’s one observes a continuous, steady rise in the number of crimes, oscillating around 10–15% a year. As for the structure of offenses in Poland, acts of criminal character dominate above others, accounting for 82–86% of all offenses. Offenses that earlier had occurred on a marginal scale now have a tendency to growth; instances of such offences include unfair competition, money laundering, computer offenses. In the light of the latest police reports, the most important tendency observed in the last years is multicriminal activity of criminal groups, gaining turf in the field of illegal and legal economic activity, and connection with financial and goods beguilement, investing illegal gains in legal transactions.
Immense gains obtained illegally are invested in enterprises supporting criminal activities (purchase of auto shops, transportation firms, distilleries), personal consumption (house building, house equipment, purchase of cars, race gambling, casinos). This money is invested in economic enterprises enabling fast and continuous profits (running night clubs, fast food bars, organization of sports events, shops selling cellular phones) as well as enterprises with gains in the future (land plots, real estates in attractive locations for auto routes, drive-ins, gas stations). Poland is becoming a market for classic drugs – from cocaine, through synthetics, through hashish and marijuana. One can observe stronger and stronger connections between Polish crime groups and those from other countries (especially in the field of production, transit and smuggling of amphetamine) and participation of our citizens in smuggling of drugs on the territory of other countries. More and more often the transfer of people is done by organized criminal groups with international connections. In the majority of cases it is only one of many elements of criminal activity, which encompasses smuggling of drugs, weapons, goods, cars, women, and so on. The organizers equipped with modern means of transportation and communications, and night vision devices and weapons conduct reconnaissance of border protection systems and sites suitable for illegal crossings. In the field of criminal offenses, offenses against property will still prevail the number of crimes with the use of firearms will also increase. The increase in crime in Poland has resulted from complicated social processes, and the possible limitation of the rate of this growth depends of the whole social and economic policy of the state.