Toine Spapens

Prof. Toine Spapens is a Full Professor at Tilburg University's Tilburg Law School, Department of Criminal Law. His research focuses on organized crime, green criminology, and rural criminology, with a particular emphasis on environmental crime (e.g., waste crimes in the Netherlands) and cross-border police cooperation. He has conducted studies for Dutch government agencies and the EU, contributing to policy development. Spapens is also involved in editorial roles, including the board of CIROC and Politiewetenschap. His recent work examines drug-related crime dynamics, criminal family networks, and regional crime patterns in Noord-Brabant.

His research projects include improving enforcement against mobile banditry and exploitation, evaluating electronic monitoring systems, and exploring police strategies in rural areas. Spapens leads the Crime, Criminal Justice and Vulnerability Theory research group, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to criminology. His 2025 publications address historical organized crime trends, drug policy effectiveness, and transnational criminal networks.