From godfathers to networkers

摘要

In The 1970s and 1980s, American prosecutors used anti-racketeering laws to demolish crime families that had plied their trade for decades. The British government hopes to emulate this heroic effort. On March 29th, it unveiled reforms designed to tackle the "Mr Bigs" of the criminal underworld. Some of the proposals, such as the creation of an FBI-style Serious Organised Crime Agency, reflect careful consultation with police and intelligence agencies. Others, such as changes to the conspiracy laws, smack of desperation in the face of an intractable problem.