The infiltration of organized crime in the emilia-romagna region: Possible interpretations for a new social defence

This chapter examines the quantity and quality of the crimes committed by foreigners in Emilia-Romagna and provides some information about the presence of immigrants in the region. Regarding the specific link between immigration and crime in Emilia-Romagna, several important statistical elements arise. The main countries of origin involved in the immigrant crime phenomenon in Emilia-Romagna are Morocco, Tunisia, former Yugoslavia, Albania and Algeria, although precise information must be provided about the temporal trend of this aspect. The most common crimes are drug pushing, mainly by Albanians and Maghrebians, and theft, mainly involving citizens of the former Yugoslavia. Emilia-Romagna is one of the regions with the highest number of foreigners, a number destined to increase. The reasons why foreigners become involved in criminal activities in Emilia-Romagna can be attributed to two main factors, widespread wealth and the problem of illegal immigration.