Analysis

Latest update: UPDATED 12TH AUGUST 2019: A regular series of articles and this useful tracker of the PCCs’ activity and progress. This update reflects the outcomes of the judicial reviews in Cambridgeshire and West Mercia. Gloucestershire were also informed that their business case would not be reviewed before the 2020 PCC elections.

ELECTION REACTION: Another in our series of exclusive articles following the result of the General Election. Eleven years ago, Leicestershire Police had one officer for every 430 citizens - it's one officer for every 599 citizens now. Simon Cole QPM, the force's Chief Constable, looks at the substantial financial challenge facing PCCs and Chiefs.

Analysis: Recent events in London and Manchester have renewed the debate on extremism within the UK and how it should be dealt with. Dr Mark Roycroft, author of  Police Chiefs in the UK, Politicians, HR managers or Cops? (2017) examines the current approach to counter terrorism.

ANALYSIS: Jack Greig-Midlane of Cardiff University examines the likely impact of the General Election result on the Conservative "Police Reform" project, instigated by Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary.

ANALYSIS: Bernard Rix, Policing Insight's Publisher, provides a first look at what the Hung Parliament means for policing and security

Insight: Two years after the Modern Slavery Act 2015 was enacted, prosecutions for trafficking are rising, but remain in their hundreds. Given there were estimated to be between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK in 2014, the conviction rate remains woefully low. So, what needs to change?

ANALYSIS: Once again horrific terrorist attacks have taken place in the UK - and once again, the public sector's communications staff have stepped up to the mark to keep the public calm and informed. Dan Slee of comms2point0 analyses the public sector comms response to the Manchester attack.

ANALYSIS: Jon Collins, Chief Executive of the Restorative Justice Council, takes a look at the commitment the party manifestos are making so far to restorative justice.

ANALYSIS: What are the implications of Operation Temperer? Ian Wiggett, former ACC and lead for counter terrorism, specialist operations and civil contingencies in Greater Manchester, explores the consequences of a raised threat level to police, the armed forces, and the community.

Analysis: With more and more forces opting to buy unmanned aerial vehicles or drones for air support, Ian Wiggett, a former ACC in Greater Manchester Police, examines their current usage and the implications for the National Police Air Support.

Analysis: Last year's Police Federation of England and Wales' Health and Well being survey of its members revealed a mental health ticking time bomb. The association, representing officers up to the rank of inspector, says officers are at breaking point, so what is the service doing about it? 

ANALYSIS: Questioned at this week's Police Federation conference about spit guards, the Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott stated she was still "looking at the research, and coming to a considered view". Dr Matt Ashby, a former police officer and now lecturer in criminology at Nottingham Trent University, looks at the evidence currently available.

Analysis: Following the UN's stinging criticism of Prevent last year, senior policing figures have hit back saying the strategy is the victim of bad press and inaccurate reporting, but are the problems with Prevent more than just a 'broken brand'? 

Analysis: With the ever-present pressures on police resources and the need for chiefs and forces to be doing as much (if not more) with less, the appeal of data analytics and predictive policing is stronger than ever.

ANALYSIS: Since the end of the Neighbourhood Policing Programme (NPP) in 2009, the work of neighbourhood teams across the country has significantly diverged. The Police Foundation are undertaking a major project to track these developments, and are looking for police officer and staff insights into what's been happening neighbourhood policing in your area.

ANALYSIS: Concerns have been raised that changes to PACE Code C could have a detrimental effect on vulnerable people in custody at a time when the police service is working to improve its treatment of those suffering mental health problems.

ANALYSIS: Policing Insight's publisher, Bernard Rix, identifies three reasons why PCCs - particularly Conservatives - may have wished that Theresa May had not triggered an early General Election.

ANALYSIS: The latest HMIC report, The State of Policing in England and Wales, was overshadowed by a row about the traumatic experiences suffered by uniformed officers. However, the report is an important one, addressing key issues around demand, resourcing and mental health. Carina O'Reilly, editor of Policing Insight, assesses the report.

ANALYSIS: Project Nova started as a pilot model in the Norfolk and Suffolk areas, to identify military veterans at the earliest point in the criminal justice pathway, and support veterans at all stages through the criminal justice process. Dr Linda Cooper of Anglia Ruskin's Veterans and Families Unit reports back from the pilot.

ANALYSIS: Despite appearances (and headlines), the police service has been one of the public sector's success stories over the last few years, making significant cuts with less damage to services than other sectors. Emily Andrews of the Institute for Government examines the data through the IfG's new Performance Tracker - but warns there could be trouble ahead.

Analysis: Dr Alistair Norman, lecturer in information management at Leeds University Business School, discussed the latest technological solutions around public safety communications at the recent B-APCO 2017 conference, including the drivers, barriers and trends for the future.

ANALYSIS: The policing landscape is undergoing tremendous change. Supt Dave Hill, Programme Director for the East Midlands Police Academic Collaboration (EMPAC) examines the 'VUCA' model - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous - to help find a path for policing in the 21st century.

Analysis: Last month, North Yorkshire Police became the second police force in England and Wales to introduce misogyny as a separate hate crime category after Nottinghamshire Police introduced it last year, but how many other forces are likely to follow suit?

Analysis: Former Assistant Chief Constable for Greater Manchester Police Ian Wiggett examines the options facing law enforcement following the terror attack in Westminster last month.