While the COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a global public health crisis, it has also proven to have a significant and potentially long-lasting impact on the serious and organised crime and terrorism landscape in Europe as well as the ability of Member State law enforcement authorities to counter security threats. Providing the Member State law enforcement authorities and our partners with an up-to-date situational picture is a key priority for Europol during this crisis. Europol has been closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on crime and terrorism in the EU from the initial introduction of lockdowns and quarantine measures in March 2020. Europol pursued various activities in order to respond to the crisis. In order to maintain an up-to-date intelligence picture of emerging security challenges in the EU, Europol collects, processes and disseminates intelligence on criminal activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Europol coordinates investigations and targeted operations related to the current crisis while carrying out prevention campaigns to address major crime threats, particularly in the areas of cybercrime, counterfeit goods, fraud and property crime. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Europol has produced a range of reports to law enforcement partners, policymakers and the public.
