Outlaw motorcycle gangs and their members’ crime: Examining the social organization of crime and its relationship to formal club hierarchy

Sjoukje Van Deuren,Arjan Blokland,Edward Kleemans

doi:10.1177/1477370820980440

Sjoukje Van Deuren, Arjan Blokland + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370820980440

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Abstract

In recent years, many European countries have taken far-reaching measures to combat the criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs). Meanwhile, empirical research into the ways OMCGs are involved in and influence the crimes of their members is largely lacking. This study presents the main findings of research based on police files of cases that were filed against members of Dutch OMCGs. We apply a criminological scenario approach to analyse to what extent and in which ways OMCGs are involved in the crimes of their members. The results show that OMCG membership particularly plays an indirect role in the criminal behaviour of OMCG members. Board members, for example, give permission for criminal acts, regulate mutual relationships between members, non-members and rival OMCGs during conflict situations, and forbid (criminal) behaviour of members that is harmful to the OMCG. OMCGs function as a pool of co-offenders and as a market for criminal enterprises. Members also use the violent reputation of OMCGs in specific criminal activities. OMCGs are less frequently directly involved in crimes. Direct involvement of OMCGs is most apparent in organized inter-gang violence and violence against their own members.

Highlights

Prior research has found that members of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) are disproportionately involved in serious crimes, such as extortion, weapon- and drug- trafficking, and violence (Blokland, Van der Leest and Soudijn, 2017, 2019; Klement, 2016; Lauchs and Staines, 2019; Morgan et al, 2020)
We examine to what extent and in which ways OMCGs play a role in the criminal behaviour of their members
We studied the police files of cases that were filed against members of Dutch OMCGs since the start of this whole-of-government approach in 2012 up to 2018

Summary

Introduction

Prior research has found that members of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) are disproportionately involved in serious crimes, such as extortion, weapon- and drug- trafficking, and violence (Blokland, Van der Leest and Soudijn, 2017, 2019; Klement, 2016; Lauchs and Staines, 2019; Morgan et al, 2020). Fear of escalating inter-gang violence between OMCGs has further added to governments’ felt need to act, and many European countries have taken legal measures to combat OMCG crime and violence (Cornils and Greve, 2004; Van Ruitenburg, 2016, 2020) These measures are primarily aimed at hampering the structural aspects of OMCGs, not at individual members. Based on the assumption that OMCGs contribute to an environment that facilitates behaviour contravening public order, several European countries, such as the Netherlands and Germany, have successfully banned certain OMCGs or chapters of OMCGs via civil lawsuits (Koornstra et al, 2019) These bans result in OMCG members being unable to wear their club colours, organize OMCG events or attend ‘church meetings’ (that is, club meetings mandatory for full colour members) without making themselves liable to prosecution

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