UCL COVID-19 SERIES: In this latest article from the UCL Jill Dando Institute series on COVID-19, Jason Roach from the University of Huddersfield and Ken Pease from Derby University examine self-selection policing (SSP) during the pandemic and how successful this style of policing response has been at detecting and identifying offenders.
ANALYSIS: Police forces and public services around the world prepare for crises such as COVID-19 – but was UK policing ready for the pandemic? Benoit Guerin, senior researcher at the Institute for Government, sets out the findings of a new report which explores forces' readiness and response to the coronavirus, and highlights lessons learned.
OPINION: With increasing attacks and abuse on the streets, vilification online and a seeming lack of support from some politicians, the sense of a growing anti-police sentiment – added to the frustration many officers already felt – is damaging officer welfare. Owen West believes it's time for the NPCC to take the lead in promoting public service, preventing a siege mentality, and protecting officers and staff.
OPINION: The 'de-fund the police' movement has been gaining traction in the United States, and similar debates are happening this side of the Atlantic. But far from being a threat to law enforcement, Owen West believes de-funding policing in favour of resourcing other support agencies is a real opportunity for constructive change.
Analysis: A survey carried out by Working the Doors, which represents UK door staff, on the relationship between door staff and the police has revealed a lack of communication and, in some cases, a misunderstanding of each others' roles. Working the Doors Content Manager Steve Johnson explores the survey's results in detail.
ANALYSIS: For the final article in our series on police workforce numbers in England & Wales, Ian Wiggett revisits his first article, which forecast likely officer numbers for each force in 2023, to take into account data just published by the Home Office that clarifies the calculations used to measure progress in recruiting the planned 20,000 uplift in officers.
Analysis: In the fourth article of our series looking at police workforce numbers in England and Wales, Ian Wiggett examines the current police funding formula and how it increases disparity between forces, impacting decisions, including recruitment.
Analysis: Mixed teams of officers and staff are commonplace in UK policing, but civilian staff numbers have fallen significantly while police officer numbers are set to swell by an additional 20,000. In the third article of this series, Ian Wiggett examines the implications this shift towards more officers will have for policing.
Opinion: As retired police officers are asked to consider returning to their force to help police the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, policing commentator Mark Brown discusses how the UK could develop a resilient and effective policing model able to cope in times of crisis.
Analysis: In the first of a series of articles on road safety, Drivetech Managing Director Charlie Norman examines the findings of the Government's recent view of Smart motorways following safety concerns and argues that re-educating motorists is crucial to reducing the number of deaths and injuries on the road.
Analysis: During austerity, some UK police forces lost over 50 per cent of their PCSOs and more than a quarter of their police staff employees. In the second article in our series on the nature of the UK's police workforce, we examine how the change in police staff and PCSO numbers over the past decade reflects a shift in attitudes towards civilianisation, outsourcing of staff and PCSOs.
Analysis: A decade of falling police officer numbers in England and Wales has been a continuous focus of concern. In a new series of articles Ian Wiggett analyses where the cuts have been felt the deepest and the implications for the workforce mix. This first article looks at how police officer numbers and the total size of the workforce have changed for each force since 2010 and what the picture is likely to look like in 2023.
Innovation: The rolling out of a new perpetrator programme proven to be successful in reducing domestic violence has been put on hold, due to the outbreal of COVID-19. Policing Insight contributor Sarah Gibbons discusses the Drive programme, the methodology behind it and how it can make a real and sustained difference to victims everywhere.
INTERVIEW: Norfolk Constabulary axed the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) role two years ago as part of a wider initiative to improve service delivery and reduce costs by 2020. Despite increased funding, the drive to recruit more officers and the NPCC and College of Policing's commitment to the role, Norfolk Chief Constable Simon Bailey tells Policing Insight why PCs, not PCSOs, are the way forward.
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.
Analysis: Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures reveal areas of the North are becoming violent crime hot spots. Policing Insight Contributor Andrew Staniforth argues the rise cannot be entirely attributed to 'county lines' and a major rethink is needed on how forces tackle violent crime locally.
Opinion: The addition of 20,000 new police officers will coincide with the new degree entry qualification requirements, including degree apprenticeships. Former head of Innovation for Kent and Essex police and now senior consultant at Enlighten Training Martin Wilson considers the potential challenges this presents.
Analysis: The Police Innovation Fund was introduced in 2013 and replaced by the Police Transformation Fund in 2016, but how successful has it been in bringing the latest innovation and technology to police forces? Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth argues the time is now right for a full evaluation.
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: With Prime Minister Theresa May's departure imminent, the Tory leadership candidates are now fighting over who's tougher on crime, which, according to one poll, has become the second greatest public concern. Ian Wiggett looks at the candidates' promises, the reality of funding allocation, and potential obstacles.
EXCLUSIVE: Earlier this week, the Home Affairs Select Committee published their long-awaited report "Policing for the Future". In this exclusive article for Policing Insight, the Police Foundation's Director, Dr Rick Muir, sets out how and why the Select Committee's report will have a lasting impact.
