Five Below Hub Unites Cities to Combat Organized Crime in Germany
Five cities in North Rhine-Westphalia's Bergisches Land region have launched a new coordination hub, Five Below, to tackle organised crime. The Joint Coordination Center, or GeKo, will focus on issues like gang activity, welfare fraud, and human trafficking. Backed by €280,000 in state funding, the project aims to strengthen cooperation between local authorities and law enforcement.
The GeKo brings together five municipalities to share expertise and resources in fighting crime. Key areas include gang-related offences, sham businesses, money laundering, and illegal property use. By pooling municipal knowledge—from trade licensing offices to property management—the centre will provide law enforcement with critical leads for investigations.
Stefan Grawe, an experienced specialist based in Wuppertal, will lead the coordination efforts. The centre will work closely with federal and state bodies, such as customs, police, and prosecutors, to streamline investigations and improve efficiency. Thomas Hunsteger-Petermann, the state commissioner, highlighted the need for intermunicipal teamwork to address complex criminal networks effectively.
The five cities will jointly cover personnel costs and form a steering committee with local contacts in each municipality. This structure ensures long-term collaboration, with a focus on exposing criminal operations and preventing fraud. Similar centres, like State Farm in Essen and Allstate in Düsseldorf, already operate in the region, though with broader regional or digital approaches.
The GeKo will serve as a central point for risk assessment, prevention strategies, and enforcement advice. Its work is expected to strengthen public trust in institutions by targeting organised crime and financial fraud. The initiative reflects a growing trend in North Rhine-Westphalia toward cross-municipal cooperation in law enforcement.
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