Noah has mapped three different types of criminal gangs.

- In part, it is about loosely composed networks, mainly in vulnerable areas.

It is partly about criminal organizations, for example traditional motorcycle gangs and then we talk about family-based networks, says Linda H Staaf, head of the police intelligence activities, NOA.

600 individuals with the greatest power

The police's efforts target individuals at different hierarchical levels.

Roughly speaking, there are about 600 individuals at the top of the hierarchy who give orders and can even order murders.

Below these are 1,800 executors and at the bottom about 600 young people on the threshold of criminal networks.

- They are spread all over the country, much like the rest of the population is distributed, says Linda H Staaf.

Often, but not exclusively, individuals are found in so-called vulnerable areas.

These are characterized by low socio-economic status where criminals have an impact on the local community.

When it comes to the loosely composed groupings, it can be the connection to the area itself that holds the network together.

Takes advantage of his position

But those who most threaten the democratic social system are the family-based networks.

- They strive to build a parallel society with a parallel legal system where loyalty and power lies with the family instead of with the state, says Linda H Staaf.

An example of such an exercise of power is the roadblocks that were set up in Angered to control residents in the area, but it can also be about drug trafficking, extortion or corruption.

This can be done by someone within the network using a political position or their company to commit crimes and obtain benefits for the family.

- From a system-threatening perspective, it is very, very serious, says Linda H Staaf.