Police on both sides of the Border should shift their focus to anticipating crimes rather than reacting to them, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, said today.
The Garda and the PSNI should "build on traditional methods of police work by shifting the focus from reactive to pro-active policing", he told senior officers from both forces at a seminar on cross-Border organised crime.
"This requires that threats and trends be identified to allow for early interventions," he added.
Mr McDowell said organised crime took money out of the pockets of the Government and ultimately the general public.
"Criminal groups earn vast profits from illegal goods and service. The damage to business means loss of profits and, as a consequence, loss of employment.
"It also deprives governments of revenue which pays for essential public services."
Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy told the seminar that organisations must not allow their "efforts to curb the menace of organised crime" to be constrainedby jurisdiction.
She said organised crime was an "international problem that recognises no boundaries".
"Governments must provide the structure for maximising cross-border capabilities. We need to continue thinking outside the box and build strong partnerships across national frontiers," she added.The seminar took place in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Co Cavan, and was also attended by customs and immigration authorities.
The purpose of the gathering, organised jointly by the Department Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Northern Ireland Office, was to enhance co-operation North and South in tackling serious cross-border criminality.
