OPINION: The financial impact of global cybercrime is growing at an alarming rate, yet the role of the chief information security officer in both public and private organisations is still largely undervalued and unrecognised; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the growing importance of public-private partnerships in the battle against cybercrime.

ANALYSIS: The economic impact of COVID-19 is set to significantly increase levels of extreme poverty, and with them the volume of vulnerable people likely to fall prey to people trafficking; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the effect of the pandemic on the trade in humans, and the latest efforts to target this transnational crime.

Analysis: Amid concerns that rising levels of large scale VAT fraud now represent a national security threat, Andrew Staniforth examines how new working arrangements between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Europol will be vital in ensuring that essential information sharing mechanisms are in place for effective investigations.

FEATURE: A new book by the former Director of GCHQ the UK’s first Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator outlines some of the key skills and attributes required of spies; but as Policing Insight's Andrew Staniforth reports, the book includes approaches and attitudes that would benefit any police officer involved in intelligence gathering and analytical thinking.

FEATURE: As advances in technology made drones more accessible and easy to use, so growing concerns about their potential use by terrorist organisations prompted the launch of the European DroneWISE project; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports on the project’s operational briefing which contains clear messages for first responders, police and security agencies.

INNOVATION: Recent serious public disorder in Brussels, and the much-covered riots in Washington DC, highlighted the dangers facing police when they are overwhelmed by unexpected public violence; a new virtual reality platform providing immersive simulation of real-world public places could offer police and security agencies the best possible preparation for such events, reports Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth.

OPINION: Advances in technology have seen drones become more available, more capable and simpler to use, which has means the opportunity for criminal use has also increased; Policing Insight's Andrew Staniforth looks at the threats posed by drones, and the measures that can be taken to counter them.

OPINION: In 2020 the UK took a number of steps to strengthen its resilience and defence against cyber attack, at a time when millions more people began working remotely; but as Policing Insight's Andy Staniforth reports, despite the efforts of law enforcement and security agencies, the cyber threat landscape still looks pretty bleak.

OPINION: The announcement in November of a multi-million pound counter-terror centre for the UK which brings together police and the security services was rightly welcomed; but as Policing Insight's Andrew Staniforth reports, moving forwards the relationship between community policing and counter-terrorism will be crucial to negating the wide array of terrorist and extremist threats.

OPINION: While much has rightly been made of the impact of the UK leaving the EU in relation to information sharing and legislative powers, far less has been discussed about how Brexit could affect innovation collaborations between UK and European policing partners; and as Policing Insight's Andy Staniforth suggests, maintaining such partnerships will need to be a policing priority.

FEATURE: When drones piloted by rogue operators targeted Gatwick Airport in 2018, the costs of the resulting disruption, delays, closures and investigations are estimated to have exceeded £50 million; the incident also acted as a wake-up call for the aviation and security industries, as Policing Insight's Andrew Staniforth reports.

INTERVIEW: Keeping concealed and prohibited items out of operational police premises is a major security challenge, amplified by COVID-19 social distancing requirements. Professor Garik Markarian, CEO of Rinicom Ltd, explains to Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth the aims of Project Artifact, which advances non-invasive security screening to detect the hostile intentions of visitors, contractors and suppliers, as well as insider threats.

FEATURE: Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports on a new EU border security and surveillance system which could see unmanned, automated robots becoming the eyes and ears of a new Fortress Europe

OPINION: The recent announcement by the UK Government that a new, world-leading counter-terror operations centre will be opened in London has been widely welcomed, and as Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports, the collaboration between policing and M15 will be crucial to the success of the ongoing fight against terrorism.

OPINION: Following a recent three-year pilot, provisions in a new UK Domestic Abuse Bill will pave the way for mandatory lie-detector testing of high-risk domestic abuse perpetrators; but Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth argues that new scientific test techniques would be more effective and appropriate than using outdated polygraph methods.

OPINION : Far-right terrorism is presenting a clear and present danger to UK neighbourhood safety and national security, warns Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth – a danger which for too long has been regarded as a lesser priority than other terrorist threats.

FEATURE: The social and economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have fuelled a surge in human trafficking in many countries; Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth reports on one US initiative which has brought together a range of covert intelligence and overt investigative agencies to tackle the issue – with impressive results.

INNOVATION: Drones are already part of the policing toolkit, but the introduction of new 5G networks will significantly enhance their law enforcement use – as well as potentially posing a greater criminal threat; Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the latest European project to identify and address the 5G drone challenges.

ANALYSIS: The horrific murder of a teacher in a Paris terror attack has shone the spotlight again on radicalisation in schools and education; but as Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth reports, inexcusable delays over the review of the UK’s Prevent strategy – and ongoing attempts to have the provision for review removed altogether – are failing the police and their partners engaged in tackling radicalisation.

ANALYSIS: The rise in ransomware attacks has seen cyber criminals increasingly targeting public sector organisations, where budgetary constraints have led to poor cyber security; Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the preparations organisations can take to protect themselves, as well as efforts to prevent ransoms being paid by victims.

Feature: In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in France and British travellers to the country being warned another attack is highly likely, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth discusses how France is seeking to combat this very real threat.

FEATURE: The tragic shooting of Met Police Sgt Matt Ratana last month once again highlighted the horrific impact of the illegal trade in unlicensed firearms; Policing Insight contributor Andy Staniforth looks at at the latest trends in firearms trafficking, and the steps being taken across Europe to stem the flow of weapons.

OPINION: Congregations and places of worship from a number of religions are increasingly being targeted across Europe by a range of individuals and groups including far-right activists, extreme anarchists and libertarians; Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the scale of the problem, and the European Commission response.

ANALYSIS: Noise pollution concerns and complaints in relation to police helicopters are mounting, but while drones are seen as an attractive and effective alternative they have their limitations, as Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explains.