INTERPOL Launches "Turn Back Crime" CampaignINTERPOL Launches "Turn Back Crime"

The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and INTERPOL Washington, the United States National Central Bureau, are announcing the launch of “Turn Back Crime”, INTERPOL’s global campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of organized crime and its impact on everyday life. Using a variety of media channels that include video, the Internet and social networks, the campaign provides information on how to stay safe and encourages private businesses, government agencies, and the general public to play an active role in the fight against organized criminal activity.

While many people are aware that criminal networks are behind the illicit trafficking of drugs, firearms, and even persons, they are often unaware of these networks’ ties to other, seemingly unrelated offenses such as the counterfeiting of commercial goods, cybercrime, fraud, child exploitation, and corruption in sport. Consequently, they are increasingly vulnerable to the threats being posed to their health by poor-quality, potentially life-threatening counterfeit medicines; to their financial security, from the theft of their personal data; and to their children’s safety, through techniques such as online grooming.

By creating a better understanding of these threats, Turn Back Crime empowers individuals to make informed choices that can not only increase their personal safety, but help deny illicit proceeds to criminal enterprises the world over – proceeds that in some instances support terrorist activity. The campaign is also reaching out to businesses and policy makers in a bid to form a united front against contemporary crime challenges, and to support the ongoing efforts of the global law enforcement community.

“For many of us, crime is quite often viewed in local terms because it is in our communities that we generally feel the impact of most criminal activity,” said Director Shawn Bray of INTERPOL Washington. “Turn Back Crime is an innovative global campaign to increase our national awareness and reduce crime by empowering our citizens and helping them understand that even our day-to-day decisions, especially as consumers, can have a profound international impact and may even help combat transnational organized crime,” added Director Bray.

The initial topic for the campaign is that of illicit trade and the counterfeiting of commercial goods. Future topics will cover other crime areas such as cybercrime and border management. 

Turn Back Crime is supported by a dedicated website (www.turnbackcrime.com (link is external)) that serves as the public face of this global initiative. It provides campaign-themed videos (link is external) and news, and a communications platform on which tips, activities, and success stories from INTERPOL’s 190 member countries can be shared. In addition, the campaign can be followed on social media outlets that include Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/turnbackcrime (link is external)); Twitter (https://twitter.com/TurnBackCrime (link is external)) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/turnbackcrime (link is external)). Two campaign hashtags have been developed that will provide a searchable link: #TurnBackCrime and #TogetherWeCan.