Analysis

Opinion: The coronavirus crisis is having a serious impact on the global illegal drugs market. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines the ramifications for the UK and considers how countries are handling drug enforcement during the pandemic.

OPINION: Across the world, a variety of surveillance techniques are being used to slow the spread of Covid-19. In his latest blog, UK's Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter argues that while the systems may look different, the principles behind deploying surveillance technology remain the same.

ANALYSIS: Policing has responded well to rising 999 call volumes, but lack of research and understanding could hinder improvement in contact management says in his commentary summarising some highlights from the recent CoPaCC Police Contact Management: Demand Analysis Report.

ANALYSIS: Enforcing the lockdown, officer wellbeing and what happens when the lockdown ends were just some of the issues discussed on last week's popular @WeCops Twitter forum on police legitimacy, chaired by Professor Ian Loader. Thames Valley Police Superintendent and @WeCops team member Katy Barrow-Grint explores the issues raised.

Exclusive interview: Medical hardware is the latest addition to a growing list of areas targeted by criminals during the Covid-19 pandemic. In an exclusive interview INTERPOL's Executive Director Stephen Kavanagh QPM DL gives an update on the emerging threats, the impact on traditional crime and how law enforcement is responding.

Analysis: A decade of falling police officer numbers in England and Wales has been a continuous focus of concern. In a new series of articles Ian Wiggett analyses where the cuts have been felt the deepest and the implications for the workforce mix. This first article looks at how police officer numbers and the total size of the workforce have changed for each force since 2010 and what the picture is likely to look like in 2023.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises a report by Europol on how criminals are profiteering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Analysis: As police services across the globe play a vital role in helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Dr Zoha Waseem, Research Fellow at the Institute for Global City Policing at UCL, examines the reasons for the 'hard policing' approach taken in some South Asian countries and the growing need to adopt more a compassionate, community-orientated policing response.

ANALYSIS : While many commentators are asking how 'organised crime' is adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, Dr Anna Sergi warns that such questions may be missing the point. Rather, we should be looking at variability of organised crime structures and activities, and preparing ourselves for a new research agenda in a changed and unknown landscape.

ANALYSIS: As law enforcement across the world adjusts to policing the pandemic, Associate Professor Terry Goldsworthy and Assistant Professor Robyn Lincoln from Bond University explore the role the Australian police forces play in managing this crisis.

ANALYSIS: Just twelve days ago, Policing Insight established an International Advisory Board (IAB), to help shape our contribution to policing's global response to Coronavirus Covid-19. Here, Policing Insight's Publisher, Bernard Rix, provides an early update on the IAB's work.

Analysis: UK police officers have been given unprecedented powers to curtail personal freedoms as the nation attempts to slow the spread of Covid-19. Former Ch Supt Owen West and Dr Matthew Radburn examine the potential for the principles of procedural justice to enable officers to exercise these powers without alienating the populace.

Analysis: CoPaCC Director and former chief officer Ian Wiggett examines the policing response to the Covid-19 and what the 'new normal' could look like for policing in the weeks to come.

Analysis: With UK police forces struggling to recruit and retain cyber-skilled staff, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth considers what this means for the war against cyber crime and why so many digitally skilled staff are opting for a career in the private sector.

Analysis: The UK has a wealth of experience in contingency planning, but Covid-19 is unprecedented in terms of scale and complexity. Drawing on interviews with senior contingency planners about the response so far, Professor Clifford Stott and former Chief Superintendent Owen West outline current challenges and offer preliminary recommendations to help navigate the weeks ahead.

Analysis: The Coronavirus is likely to create new opportunities for crime as well as curtail others, says Professor Karl Roberts, a Consultant on Health Security and Policing for the World Health Organisation. Here, he examines the potential impact a pandemic can have on different crime types.

Analysis: The police, public health and other public and private sector organisations are facing huge challenges as they tackle the Coronavirus, but how are they managed at a local level? CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett examines the vital role of the UK's Local Resilience Forums in ensuring a coordinated response to an unprecedented situation.

Analysis: With the police service now tasked with enforcing the lockdown during the Coronavirus crisis, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines the role that drones can play in supporting officers in maintaining law and order.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises a report by Policy Exchange: Policing a Pandemic - The challenges of maintaining law and order during the Coronavirus response.

Analysis: Professor Karl Roberts is a Consultant on Health Security, Law Enforcement and Policing for the World Health Organisation. In an exclusive article for Policing Insight, he examines the different roles police may have during a pandemic and the challenges this creates alongside some suggested approaches to developing the police response.

Analysis: The likely impact of the Coronavirus on crime and policing is, as yet, unknown. Policing commentator Ben Twomey explores some of the issues the UK criminal justice system may have to consider in the coming days, weeks and months.

Analysis: The Coronavirus crisis will test the capacity and capability of all emergency service first responders. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at the pressures facing police leaders in the coming months and how effective collaboration with the military will be vital to managing the response to Covid-19.

Analysis: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the recent inspection by the HMICFRS on Counter Terrorism Policing and the police's contribution to the Government's Prevent Programme.

Analysis: It was entirely inevitable that cybercriminals would take advantage of the current public health emergency but, says Policing Insight Contributor Andrew Staniforth, their actions have surprised even the most hardened cyber security professionals.