In recent years street gangs have made it as a topic and a security concern into public debate and in the national crime prevention agenda in Finland. Consequently, the police and other authorities have invested resource and have invented as well as implemented measures in combating the phenomenon and in putting this new security threat under control.

Despite their active measures, street gangs, it seems, have succeed in securing a foothold in the organized crime scene. However, it has become increasingly evident that, as a part of the attempt to identify and combat the phenomenon, the traditional concept of organized crime is no longer a sufficient one. Street gangs and their activities embody a new image of networked and network-based crime. It does not fit into the traditional concept of organized crime in Finland but calls for a new and more encompassing one.

The presentation reviews the current state and future prospects of street gang crime in Finland. The presentation uses the latest information acquired in development projects as its information base.