Sweden Against Organised Crime (SMOB) is an excellence initiative that aims to strengthen Sweden’s ability to combat organised crime, and particularly focuses on the criminal economy. SMOB will improve the professional capacity and collaboration of societal stakeholders through research, education and innovation, helping deter and prevent criminal activity that threatens national security and wellbeing. The initiative is run by the School of Police Studies at Södertörn University and includes nine public authorities and four business and employee organisations.

Organised crime, especially the criminal economy, is a significant factor in many types of illegal activity. It poses a serious threat to Sweden and affects access to public and private services, as well as having a greater impact on the most vulnerable people in society. Currently, Sweden does not have sufficient capacity to identify, manage and reduce the vulnerabilities that are exploited by organised crime. To mount an effective response, we must increase our level of specialised knowledge and improve cooperation between societal stakeholders.

Sweden Against Organised Crime (SMOB – Sverige mot organiserad brottslighet) is being conducted to meet these challenges. It is a partnership that aims to strengthen work against organised crime through education, research, innovation and cross-sector collaboration. SMOB is a cooperation between Södertörn University and the following public authorities: Arbetsförmedlingen, Swedish Customs, the Economic Crime Authority, Enforcement Authority, Migration Agency, Police Authority, Social Insurance Agency and the Tax Agency, as well as the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees.

SMOB is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and co-funded by the public authorities and organisations in the partnership.

The aim of SMOB is to create a national knowledge hub that collects expertise and resources from different sectors, building a platform for collaboration, research, education and innovation that relates to organised crime. By integrating research with practice and ensuring cross-profession collaborations, SMOB aims to develop and disseminate new methods and evidence-based tools that will be effective in the fight against organised crime. SMOB will also provide a forum for feedback and support for community stakeholders on the implementation of appropriate methods.