Three quarters of the public believe paramilitaries are running organised crime rackets in Northern Ireland, a new report revealed today.
With up to 200 gangs raking in millions from drug dealing, extortion and smuggling operations, nearly everyone believes they pose a major problem.
Awareness levels emerged from a British government survey aimed at helping the authorities deal with the threat. Security Minister Ian Pearson, who chairs the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), claimed more and people recognised the menace.
He said: "While the government and the law enforcement agencies can lead from the front, the scourge of organised crime can only be fully addressed with the support of the public.
"That has been a constant message of the OCTF and I am pleased that this message is getting through to more and more people. This is something we must continue to build on."
The research bulletin, part of the April 2004 Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey, questioned 1,300 adults to assess how familiar the public was with the racketeers and the multi-agency task force. Among the key findings were:
the overwhelming majority (97 per cent) believed there was a problem with organised crime in Northern Ireland.
three quarters (75 per cent) thought paramilitary organisations were mainly responsible for committing offences related to organised crime.
nearly three quarters (73 per cent) said they associated drug dealing with organised crime in Northern Ireland; 36 per cent said protection/extortion racketeering, 34 per cent said armed robbery and 26% said fuel smuggling
over half (58 per cent) said that they would report someone if they knew they were associated with organised crime.
PA