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Migration and Home Affairs
21 May 2024

Law Enforcement Networks Working Group (LENWG)

Mission

Recent terrorist attacks have repeatedly targeted public spaces, which poses a significant security threat. The EU has taken various steps to support Member States in strengthening citizen protection, including funding law enforcement networks through the Internal Security Fund:

The current terrorist threats, exacerbated by the circumstances stemming from the war in Ukraine and in Palestine, require further mitigating measures. The Commission has therefore initiated the creation of a Law Enforcement Networks Working Group (LENWG). This group, chaired by DG HOME, aims to bolster the preparedness of law enforcement networks to combat evolving threats.

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AIRPOL

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AIRPOL is the Network for Police and Border Guard Units at EU airports, focusing on airport policing, aviation security and air border security.

The main goal of the network is to enhance the cooperation between police organisations at EU airports, to ensure the overall security at airports and civil aviation. AIRPOL’s activities include further developments of the cooperation between Police and Border Guard units, best practices, manuals, guidelines, exercises, training sessions and conferences.

The network consists of 25 EU Member states, alongside with partner countries outside the EU including Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Israel, Norway, United Kingdom, and United States.

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AQUAPOL

AQUAPOL is a Law Enforcement Police Network, aiming to strengthen the security on Europe’s main inland waterways as well as in the maritime domain by improving cross-border law-enforcement cooperation.

AQUAPOL organises activities such as information sharing through dedicated working groups, focusing on labour exploitation, port security and digitalization of transport. The network consists of 19 countries and 26 organisations, and it is organised in 4 hubs, each covering a specific geographical zone:

  • Maritime HUB North Sea/Atlantic
  • Maritime HUB Mediterranean/Atlantic
  • Inland Navigation HUB for the Rhine
  • Danube Black Sea HUB

AQUATRACK – data website where all Aquapol members report issued controls on the field; all tracked vessels are followed by installed AQUATRACK antennas all over Europe

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ATLAS

ATLAS is a network of Special Intervention Units, from all EU Member States and associated countries, stand ready 24/7 to respond to crisis impacting European security. The ATLAS Support Office is based at Europol’s headquarters, hosted within the European Counter Terrorism Centre.

The network organises regular meetings, workshops, trainings and exercises to intensify cooperation between European Special Intervention Units, preparing for joint operations in combating terrorism and organised crime. By exchanging experiences, resources and the concentration of police competencies, ATLAS strengthens national and international performances in fighting against terrorism and organised crime.

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EIFS

EIFS is the EU In-Flight Security Officer Network, also known as Air-Marshals, which aims to enhance flight security by improving the capabilities and capacities of the individual Inflight Security Officers units, as well as strengthening the cooperation between them. The network is mainly focusing on the potential threats' passengers may pose once on board.

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ENLETS

ENLETS is the European Network of Law Enforcement Technology Services consisting of 29 members across Europe dedicated to addressing shared law enforcement technology priorities.

The network operates through Technology Interest Groups (TIGs), each led by an expert from a member state. These groups promote collaboration, exchange best practices, and conduct research to support EU Security goals. They focus on front line policing, crime, and public protection as well as procurement-related challenges in order to strengthen the security across Europe.

Dive into some projects initiated by ENLETS: The PRoTECT project; i-LEAD project; QROC project; The CYCLOPES project

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ESG

The European Surveillance Group (ESG) is a law enforcement network focused on enhancing covert surveillance capabilities across borders. By collaborating, inspiring, and innovating, the network provides expert advice to partners involved in combating organized crime, terrorism and other significant threats in Europe and beyond.

Through workshops, training courses and exercises, ESG strengthens cross border cooperation, identifies operational standards and new technologies that can help EU Gendarmerie and Police Officers in pursuing a criminal investigation beyond national borders.

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HRSN 

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HRSN is the High-Risk Security Network which main goal is to improve the safety of public spaces by fostering European cooperation. It focuses on preventing severe violence and terrorist acts targeting critical infrastructures, and transport hubs in European countries.

Network provides a platform for common training and joint exercises, in order to support Member States in improving their preparedness against current and future threats and enhancing their capacity to react in case of an attack.

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RAILPOL

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RAIPOL is an international association of police organisations within Europe which mission is to tackle crime and other security issues in the European railway environment by establishing cross-border law enforcement co-operation on the main European railways.

RAIPOL has 22 members and five working groups: Counter Terrorism, Crime and Illegal Migration, Railway Accidents, Public Order and Strategic Analysis.

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Contact

For questions or any further information about the networks and their acitivites, you can reach us via HOME-NOTIFICATIONS-D2atec [dot] europa [dot] eu (HOME-NOTIFICATIONS-D2[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)