United Kingdom

OPINION: Policing in the UK and internationally seemingly struggles to find the best approach to using social media, with forces and officers either criticised for not being proactive enough, or drawn into controversy as situations go viral; former police officer Oliver Laurence, now a policing consultant, looks at some of the recent challenges that have faced the UK’s largest force in its use of Twitter and X (caution this article contains content that may upset some readers).

FEATURE: As the impact of climate change on policing continues to be discussed around the world, the UK’s recently updated National Risk Register has highlighted some of the key threats to safety and security, including environmental risks; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at one of those threats – flooding – in more detail, and explores the policing and emergency services planned response, as well as EU research in reducing disaster risk.

FEATURE: The consequences of climate change are increasingly recognised as a growing concern for policing and community safety, and were the subject of a recent @WeCops Twitter Chat; in this article Dr David Lydon of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), who hosted the chat, reflects on the conversations and comments during the discussion, providing a narrative of the anonymised views and opinions of those taking part.

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FEATURE: Concerns over the wellbeing of investigators – particularly those involved in sexual offence cases – has been raised in a number of reports and reviews, but recent efforts to focus on those issues has helped to significantly reduce the number of unfilled detective vacancies; ahead of next month’s Investigator Wellbeing Week of Action, Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons spoke to organiser Sarah-Jayne Bray about the aims of the event and the difference the renewed focus is making to officer and staff wellbeing.

INTERVIEW: With policing at a ‘critical juncture’ on a number of levels, the potential for digitisation and technological transformation to make a positive impact should not underestimated; in the last in a series of features focused on the recent UK Policing Digital Summit, Policing Insight’s Graham Jarvis spoke to Alex Bowen and Owen White of the Police Digital Service about the opportunities to stimulate the future of policing through digital technology.

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INTERVIEW: As campaign group Stamp Out Spiking continues with calls for new legislation to tackle the offence as well as more support for support for victims, Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons spoke to CEO Dawn Dines about their work with police and other organisations to improve training and awareness around the crime.

FEATURE: The recent horrific terrorist attacks on Israel, as well as the discovery of an extensive terrorist plot targeting Tehran, have highlighted once again the ever-present threat of terrorism, and it’s potentially devastating impact; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the latest initiative to protect public spaces across the UK and Europe from such threats, as well as new EU funding to develop measures that will increase the security of citizens against terrorism.

ANALYSIS: While the term ‘shoplifting’ suggest images of someone pocketing a chocolate bar, current retail thefts by organised crime groups in the UK are often more akin to systematic looting, yet the vast majority of offences still go un reported; City, University of London Criminology Professor Dr Emmeline Taylor argues that although an under-funded police service and criminal justice system has exacerbated the problem, retailers themselves could take more steps to safeguard stock and staff.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: The annual Professional Standards and Ethics Conference, supported by Policing Insight as media partner, will take place 27-28 November 2023 in Manchester. The theme for this year is 'improving police legitimacy by delivering on an enhanced ethical and professional standards framework'.

FEATURE: In the latest in a new series of The Police Student focusing on Criminology in Policing, Policing Insight Academic Editor Dr Carina O’Reilly explores sociological theories for explaining crime, including the concept of ‘anomie’, strain theory, and the ‘subcultures’ explanation for why people at the bottom of the social ladder are more likely to become involved in crime.

INTERVIEW: In the latest in a series of articles focusing on the recent UK Police Digital Summit, Policing Insight’s Graham Jarvis spoke to Norfolk Deputy Chief Constable Simon Megicks, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Digital Public Contact, about how improved police communications and engagement, increased digital contact channel options, and tailored one-to-one messaging can help to address the decline in public trust and confidence in policing.

FEATURE: The rapid expansion in the use of digital devices has presented new opportunities and challenges for police in the UK and internationally in leveraging information from digital data in criminal investigations; ahead of next week’s London Policing College workshop focusing on these issues, lecturer and consultant Dr Stuart Hyde, an experienced chief police officer and previous national police lead for data compliance, explores some the key concerns around skillsets, the regulatory framework, and the dangers of over-reliance on specialists.

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INTERVIEW: In the latest in a series of articles focusing on last month’s UK Police Digital Summit, Policing Insight’s Graham Jarvis spoke to Dr Nicola Millard, Principal Innovation Partner and BT Business Chief Technology Officer, about the importance of people-centred innovation, the need to recognise ‘easy’ as a driver for technological change, and the potential for mixed reality to transform police responses to major critical incidents.

OPINION: The recent killing of London schoolgirl Elianne Andam, who died after being stabbed on a Croydon street while on her way to school, has once again prompted lengthy debate around knife crime; former police officer Oliver Laurence, who grew up in Croydon, shares his thoughts on what can be done to tackle the crisis – including listening to the views of those with first-hand experience of knife crime in their community, such as AJ Wright.

ANALYSIS: With the complex digital underground increasingly offering ‘crime as a service’ facilities to both traditional organised crime groups and cybercriminals, understanding how the approach works is essential for law enforcement; Policing Insight’s Andy Staniforth looks at the latest information from Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), and new research funding that could help police organised crime investigators, analysts and experts tackle the problem.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: A rising tide of online child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases has left UK police forces swamped. Technology provides a solution. How can forces harness technology to get through swathes of evidence and extract the insight they need to bring predators to justice faster?

INTERVIEW: In the latest in a series of articles focusing on last month’s UK Police Digital Summit, Policing Insight’s Graham Jarvis spoke to Brent Wild and Dr Steve Conn, IT connectivity and network specialists for Surrey and Sussex police forces, about the challenges around policing connectivity, the potential benefits from improving networks and interoperability, and the importance of understanding user needs in delivering new technology.

FEATURE: With worryingly high levels of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the UK and other countries, tackling these crimes will require effective leadership and greater leverage of the digital landscape by police investigators; ahead of next week’s London Policing College workshop focusing on these issues, College Director and former Met Police Chief Superintendent Parm Sandhu explores some of the policing opportunities and challenges in the fight against VAWG.

INTERVIEW: Declining levels of public trust and confidence in policing can be attributed to a wide range of issues, from cuts creating a lack of visibility and overwhelming demand, to high-profile misconduct and serious crimes committed by officers; in the latest in a series of articles focusing on this month’s UK Police Digital Summit, Policing Insight’s Graham Jarvis spoke to Mike Lattanzio, Chair of the National Police Technology Council and Chief Information Officer for the Thames Valley and Hampshire forces, about how technology can help to regain that public trust and confidence.

OPINION: The UK’s Online Safety Bill recently passed the final stages of Parliamentary debate, and is now set to become law, but the legislation alone will not address all the challenges around online child sexual abuse; Simon Bailey, Chair of the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region and former National Police Chiefs’ Council Child Protection Lead, warns that big tech must take greater responsibility in keeping children safe online – and that we all have a part to play.

ANALYSIS: Last month the cross-party UK Home Affairs Committee published its latest report on drugs, which included calls for a reform of legislation, greater cross-departmental collaboration in combating drugs, and more emphasis on protecting children and adopting a trauma-informed approach to the problem; Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons explores some of the key recommendation from the Committee.