Policing 'high tech crime' in the global context: the role of transnational policy networks

The European Union, the Group of Eight (G8) and the Council of Europe have since the mid- 1990s developed their approaches to combating international and organised crime. But within this phenomenological umbrella, attention is now being focussed upon the policing of 'hi-tech crime'. This policy intervention again underlines the importance of an understanding of the new international policy networks, their transnational dynamics of governance, and the democratic opportunities for intervention in the policy process. The paper will first outline the development of the policy networks on organised crime within the European Union and G8. Second, by focussing upon the development of policies on hi-tech crime within three international fora, the paper will underline the apparent importance of 'infrastructural power' in ensuring that the policing of hi-tech crime is translated to the law enforcement agenda.