Europe

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

Opinion: Travelling through France as the lockdown was announced, Tristram Hicks, a former detective superintendent and now a global consultant on organised international crime, money laundering and corruption, gives a personal account of how the French are enforcing the lockdown as the country attempts to counter the spread of Covid-19.

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.

INTERVIEW: Dr Holger Nitsch, from the Police Department of the University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria, explains to Policing Insight the unique research and innovation collaborations between German and UK police forces to tackle the twin threats of cybercrime and terrorism.    

OPINION: Dr Felia Allum argues that perhaps a new approach is needed to fight organised crime – one that is less centred around the moment a crime is committed, and takes a wider view of the membership and organisational structures of the groups behind those crimes. Are there lessons to learn from how Italy tackles the mafia?

Interview: As cyber crime activity continues to rise across Europe, former Chief Inspector of the Croatian Police Jelena Levak explains to Policing Insight the cyber security challenges for policing, and the impact upon law enforcement agencies in Croatia and across the European Member States.

Interview: The globalisation of crime is impacting on law enforcement agencies across the world. Dr Borislav Mavrov from the European Institute in Bulgaria shares with Policing Insight the challenges faced by Bulgarian agencies, what measures are being taken and how UK policing can help.

Analysis: As UK police are set to receive new powers to tackle the problem of illegal drone activity, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth examines the risks drones pose to our safety and security and the wider work happening to counteract them.

Analysis: The widespread bush fires in Australia have focused attention on how emergency services respond to large scale incidents caused by extreme weather. With incidents such as these set to become increasingly common, Policing Insight Contributor Andrew Staniforth looks at how the EU is tackling the threat to public safety posed by climate change.

Interview: Technical Expert for Thekking* Steingrímur Fannar Stefánsson tells Policing Insight about an award-winning project to share sensitive digital evidence between the Reykjavik Metropolitan Police and the National University Hospital of Iceland.

Analysis: The tragic deaths of 39 people in a container lorry in Essex have once again shone a spotlight on human trafficking and the EU's continuing struggle to prevent organised criminals exploiting Europe's frictionless borders. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth takes a closer look at the challenges.

insight: UK police forces are unable to access the European Commission's Internal Security Fund - Police (ISF-P) which promotes safety and security in the EU, but Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explains there are other ways for forces to be involved in its vital work.

analysis: Cybersecurity is one of the most important cross-national issues in the EU, with essential services at risk if it fails. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth says this is why effective and coordinated responses between EU member states are necessary - before and after Brexit.

Comment: The number of potential trafficking and modern slavery victims reported to UK authorities last year rose by 36 per cent, according to National Crime Agency figures. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth argues that with new trends emerging we must work closely with other European agencies to tackle the problem at all points in the process: origin, transit and destination country.

analysis: Following the failure of the European Union Strategy to eradicate human trafficking, Europol has launched a new joint task force. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explores the challenges it faces in trying to combat one of the largest international crime industries in the world.

Long Read: Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley has analysed the findings of over 60 different studies of body-worn cameras (BWC) providing an insight into the different perspectives on their effectiveness in gathering evidence, lowering police rates of use of force and violence towards the police.

analysis: Ten years ago, a WHO report urged governments to look at long-term social policy solutions to knife crime rather than view it as a policing issue. With a number of cities in the UK in the grip of a knife crime epidemic, Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explains how this can be achieved.

analysis: The nature of crime is ever-changing and increasingly complex. The National Crime Agency has warned that, when it comes to innovation in policing, it is either sink or swim. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth urges the UK to look to the Netherlands as an example of innovation done well.

Insight: Development of the concept of emotional intelligence began in the 1980s and its four attributes of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and social skills are all essential factors for a successful police officer. Former UK police officer and now Research Fellow at Western Sydney University Alan Beckley looks at how consideration of emotional intelligence is influencing the recruitment and development of police personnel.

LONG READ: International policing missions offer a range of challenges, particularly cultural. Jan Leenslag of the Dutch National Police explains how he used ‘soft skills’ and cultural awareness to develop 'train the trainer' programmes in Afghanistan.

Analysis: Traditional responses to trafficking focus on disrupting criminal networks and protecting the victims, but a European project is taking a different approach including ways to reduce demand for the services of those who are trafficked. Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explores the drivers of this $12bn a year crime.

ANALYSIS: Media reports suggest a surge in 'Albanian mafia' involvement in drug trafficking and organised crime. However, Anna Sergi of the University of Essex warns that this misrepresents the role of Albanian offenders and networks, and damages our understanding of the complexities of organised crime, and the global Albanian diaspora.

INSIGHT: Fifteen European Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have built a unique platform to create and share innovative solutions. Policing Insight contributor and Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC Andrew Staniforth explains the importance of developing new ways to tackle technology-driven transnational crime.

ANALYSIS: With the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a deal becoming more likely, the Institute for Government recently published a timely report on the need for ongoing security co-operation. Maddy Thimont Jack of the IfG explains the report's findings.