Operational policing

analysis: British victims of overseas terror, already experiencing loss and horror, can return home only to be "let down" by the government. Andrew Staniforth outlines victim compensation schemes, developed in response to overseas and home terrorist attacks, and highlights the issues preventing victims from receiving proper support.

Opinion: Following an initial inspection of 14 forces as part of the PEEL Inspection process for 2018/19, HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr says the cracks are starting to appear in policing. But, none of HMICFRS’ concerns are new, suggesting the cracks are already there - they are just getting wider.

Analysis: There have been nine reports and reviews of forensic science over the past decade, highlighting numerous problems. The latest House of Lord's report has described the quality and delivery of forensic provision as "inadequate". Keith Potter explores the ongoing issues facing this sector and what needs to change.

Interview: EXCLUSIVE: The former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation Lord Carlile of Berriew QC CBE explains to Policing Insight the challenges of delivering Prevent, defining Islamophobia, preserving peace in Northern Ireland, and what to do about Shamima Begum.

INTERVIEW: HMICFRS has raised concerns that neighbourhood policing has been eroded and forces don't know how many neighbourhood police officers they have, but Surrey Police's new Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, who holds the neighbourhood policing portfolio, says that is about to change.

OPINION: With knife crime rising, the controversy over the use and benefits of stop and search takes on greater urgency. Dr Megan O'Neill of the University of Dundee and Dr Liz Aston of Edinburgh Napier University explain how stop and search was transformed in Scotland by police and academics working together.

Advertisement feature: This years’ Canterbury Centre for Police Research annual conference is about the professionalisation agenda and the challenges to achieving its’ aims in the current climate of austerity and rising demand.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Chief constable recruitment and retention, the legacy of austerity, measuring performance and maintaining transparency are just some of the issues to be explored at this year's Police Governance Summit 2019. BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the Summit which takes place 3 - 4 July, 2019. Put the dates in your diary today - and book your place now!

OPINION: Increasing pressure on police has led to officers recording incidents, rather than actively preventing them. Serving officer Martin Gallagher warns that this trend is damaging to public confidence and that police need to position themselves as society's active guardians, not passive observers.

Analysis: Dr. Catriona Havard of The Open University and Dr. Martin Thirkettle of Sheffield Hallam University present their new research showing that small variations in the background colour of photo lineups can increase errors in identification of innocent suspects.

Analysis: The recent Extinction Rebellion demonstrations brought the policing of protests into sharp focus with officers' seemingly 'softly, softly' approach drawing both praise and criticism. Former Greater Manchester Police ACC Ian Wiggett argues the importance of knowing where to draw the line between engaging with protesters and 'stepping in'.

Analysis: Like all forms of extremism, the rise of the far right has been ably assisted by the internet, but now law enforcement is using technology to stem the spread of extremism. Policing Insight contributor and Senior Research Fellow at CENTRIC Andrew Staniforth examines the RED-Alert project which detects content that fuels division and hatred in real time.

INSIGHT: Det Ch Supt Chris Todd is the West Midlands Police Head of Professional Standards and the NPCC Lead for Data Analytics. In this exclusive article for Policing Insight, he responds to recent press coverage suggesting that the West Midlands Police Ethics Committee had "raised the alarm" over the force's potential use of a 'predictive policing' tool.

Opinion: Chris Horne, Business Architect for Sopra Steria argues the case for 'subjective, outcome-focused social measures' to even the scorecard of measuring victim satisfaction.

ANALYSIS: At the time of the 2011 London riots, many commentators and politicians blamed the rioters rather than looking for underlying causes. However, a three-year research project suggests this was mistaken. Stephen Reicher, of the University of St Andrews; Clifford Stott, of Keele University, and John Drury, of the University of Sussex, explain their findings.

INTERVIEW: The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 12th February. Anti-terror law expert Professor Emeritus Clive Walker QC (Hon), the Specialist Senior Advisor to the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, explains to Policing Insight the provisions of the new laws and the amendments made to existing powers.

Analysis: Ten years ago, London was the scene of the G20 Summit protests. This week climate change activists caused major disruption in the city. Protests are part and parcel of a liberal democracy, but how do we ensure they are ethically policed? Professor Peter Joyce and Dr Wendy Laverick examine the lessons of history and the implications for policing future protests.

Opinion: The role of Police and Crime Commissioner may still be in its relative infancy, but PCCs are already driving change, in particular, the current drugs policy which former drug policy lead for West Midlands OPCC and now Head of Policy for the National Youth Advocacy Service Ben Twomey argues is well overdue for reform.

Innovation: Lewis Westbury, a software developer for 15 years, a special constable for almost 10 and now founder and volunteer coordinator of Police Rewired, highlights several interesting pieces of research sourced in Crime Survey of England and Wales data, and the implications for developing practical tools in the fight against crime.

Opinion: Is official endorsement of the participation of on-duty uniformed officers in Pride events across the country blurring a very important line? Blogger, substantive Detective Constable and LLB undergraduate the Secular Detective explains why he thinks that the principles of police officer impartiality are being eroded.

Opinion: Mobile data, interoperability, drones, evolving communications: just four of the key technology challenges facing policing right now. Ian Thompson, the CEO of the British Association of Public Communications Officers (BAPCO), looks at why it is so difficult to procure and implement solutions that deliver the benefits required.

ANALYSIS: The latest in our Report Watch series summarises the findings of the fourth report by HMICFRS which is an update on the police response to fraud (April 2019). We look at the key points for policing as well as stakeholder and media reactions.

INNOVATION: Children who witness domestic abuse often keep their suffering to themselves or display their feelings through 'acting out' at school. Operation Encompass is a confidential information-sharing scheme between police and schools that aims to identify children early, offering them better support and safeguarding, Syreeta Lund reports.

LONG READ: How does community policing translate to a former war zone like South Sudan? Jackie Gold, Chief Inspector with Avon and Somerset Police, explains the importance of gaining a clear understanding of the mandate, finding opportunities for ‘quick wins’, influencing others, cultural awareness and taking risks.