FEATURE: Environmental crimes such as large-scale dumping, illegal waste sites, and illegal export of waste have become one of the fastest growth areas for organised crime groups; Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth explores the scale of the problem, and efforts by countries across Europe to tackle the threat using the latest technologies including artificial intelligence.

INNOVATION: In the latest in a series of articles exploring the opportunities and challenges presented to police by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), Chief Philip Lukens explores the potential for improving officer safety, wellbeing and performance though the use of AI systems to detect fatigue in police drivers.

OPINION: The pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses in the US and around the world have prompted fresh debates around policing, public order and people’s right to protest; Jess Reia, Assistant Professor of Data Science at the University of Virginia, argues that decisions over what constitutes urban disorder often target the most disadvantaged communities, and that deploying big data under the guise of enforcing public order can backfire.

INNOVATION: In the latest in a series of articles exploring the opportunities and challenges presented to police by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), Chief Philip Lukens explores implications of synthetic identities, how they can be adopted and exploited for criminal use, and the strategies law enforcement needs to put in place to combat them.

INNOVATION: Alongside legitimate and beneficial uses of the internet, the spread of digital hate speech and employing online platforms to harass, threaten, and in some instances encourage real-world violence presents a significant challenge; Police Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the latest attempts to use artificial intelligence to tackle a large and growing problem.

INNOVATION: In the latest in a series of articles exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in policing, Chief Philip Lukens explores how AI can enhance and improve the services police provide without cutting workforces, and ensuring there is no damaging impact on public trust and legitimacy.

OPINION: In an opinion piece that sets out to challenge UK policing’s “intellectual and doctrinal confusion”, recently re-elected Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson argues that most of the public “feel abandoned to the intimidatory threats of vocal and shrill minorities”, amid concerns over “risk-averse” policing leadership and a perception that forces are failing to police without fear or favour.

FEATURE: With artificial intelligence increasingly important in the investigation process for collating and analysing large volumes of data, new EU funding is now up for grabs for proposals that can help policing and security practitioners undertake fast and flexible analysis of large data sets to improve the fight against transnational crime and terrorism, as Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports.

OPINION: UK policing faces a continuing struggle to leverage the maximum effectiveness and efficiency out of the use of new technology, while accommodating concerns around ethics and human rights; Darren Scates, the Met Police Chief Digital Data and Technology Officer, looks at some of the particular challenges around the practical implementation and delivery of innovative technologies, and suggests steps the service could take to improve outcomes.

INNOVATION: In the latest in a series of articles exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in policing, Chief Philip Lukens explores the potentially revolutionary benefits of AI X-ray vision in police searches and emergency rescue and recovery operations, as well as the technical, legal and ethical challenges that the use of such technology could bring.

FEATURE: With money laundering continuing to pose a threat to security and safety through the use of funds for both criminal activity and terrorism, Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth reports on the latest European Union agreements which should improve detection and strengthen prevention across members states.

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OPINION: Martin Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive of Content Guru, reflects on the forthcoming local and national elections, which will have a profound effect on policing, arguing that for policing to transform, it needs to look forward as well as back – and that investment in people will not deliver the change that is required unless it is matched by investment in technology.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: As generative AI bursts onto the scene, it promises to transform people’s personal and professional lives forever. It could hold the key to police forces operating more effectively – but it’s also already being used by criminals for nefarious purposes. UK forces must consider: How can they harness GenAI while preventing its misuse?

ANALYSIS: In the latest in a series of articles exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in policing, Chief Philip Lukens compares the related but distinct fields of biometrics and facial recognition, and explores how biometric technologies can enhance facial recognition systems and improve accuracy and security.

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ANALYSIS: As part of his speech to the recent Milpol Asia-Pacific Conference in Singapore, Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram highlighted the potential that artificial intelligence offers his force and others in detecting and disrupting criminal activities and responding to crises.

INNOVATION: With policing coming under growing pressure to leverage the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), Assistant Professor Dr Eric Halford, a former officer and now Associate Researcher in policing and development, explores the potential for police forces to improve efficiency and effectiveness through greater use of general purpose AI, as well as the associated challenges, and the pitfalls to avoid.

FEATURE: As the UK, Europe and the US all prepare for parliamentary elections this year, and with increasing calls for legislation to target hate speech, Policing Insight’s Andy Staniforth looks at the new project using AI-based technologies to equip NGOs, civil service organisations, public authorities and others with the skills and awareness to tackle online hate speech and disinformation.

INNOVATION: In the latest in a series of articles exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in policing, Chief Philip Lukens looks at the potential benefits that AI solutions can deliver in relation to accreditation and performance – including a master training schedule, an AI-assisted tool to review and update policy, and an automated compliance checker – all of which can save time and resources, increase reliability, and boost trust and confidence.

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OPINION: Algorithms are used to predict the risk of criminal behaviour, drug use and reoffending in a number of countries (as well as being employed widely outside the criminal justice sector); but Associate Professor Tatiana Dancy of the University of Melbourne argues that decisions should only be taken – and penalties applied – on the basis of behaviour, not other physical, mental or social characteristics fed into predictive tools.

FEATURE: With terrorists increasingly exploiting the vulnerabilities of public spaces in urban settings – such as event venues, shopping centres and other crowded places – Policing Insight’s Andrew Staniforth looks at the work of PRECRISIS, a European partnership of subject matter experts looking to improve protection of those spaces through the use of integrated and innovative technology.

INNOVATION: Smart devices have revolutionised the way many people interact, but they can also be used to facilitate a wide range of abuse; Andi Brown, criminologist and Cybercrime and Cybersecurity Lecturer at Monash University, argues that there are several steps that could be taken to design safety features that empower victim-survivors, instead of exposing them to risk.