Police forces

ELECTION REACTION: In the latest of our exclusive articles following the General Election, Durham PCC Ron Hogg identifies seven specific ways in which the Government's approach to policing must now change, and calls on Chief Officers, HMIC and fellow PCCs to be afforded "greater traction within the debate".

Insight: Criminals prey on the elderly. Coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex looks at the scale of the problem in her force area and how Operation Signature is helping to protect the elderly from fraud.

Analysis: Policing Insight launches a unique ‘tracker’ and a series of special articles examining the progress of Police and Crime Commissioners as they assume joint governance over police and fire services in their areas. In the first of the series, Catherine Levin takes a look at the runners and riders and discovers that currently 'the east has it'.

Latest update: UPDATED 12TH AUGUST 2019: A regular series of articles and this useful tracker of the PCCs’ activity and progress. This update reflects the outcomes of the judicial reviews in Cambridgeshire and West Mercia. Gloucestershire were also informed that their business case would not be reviewed before the 2020 PCC elections.

ELECTION REACTION: Another in our series of exclusive articles following the result of the General Election. Eleven years ago, Leicestershire Police had one officer for every 430 citizens - it's one officer for every 599 citizens now. Simon Cole QPM, the force's Chief Constable, looks at the substantial financial challenge facing PCCs and Chiefs.

Analysis: Recent events in London and Manchester have renewed the debate on extremism within the UK and how it should be dealt with. Dr Mark Roycroft, author of  Police Chiefs in the UK, Politicians, HR managers or Cops? (2017) examines the current approach to counter terrorism.

ELECTION REACTION: In the first of a series of exclusive articles following the result of the General Election, Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys discusses the implications for the review of the police funding formula.

OPINION: In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks on the UK, Emma Williams of Canterbury Christ Church University says thank you to those officers who warned the public that police numbers were too low, and who are now working full stretch to protect us.

ANALYSIS: Once again horrific terrorist attacks have taken place in the UK - and once again, the public sector's communications staff have stepped up to the mark to keep the public calm and informed. Dan Slee of comms2point0 analyses the public sector comms response to the Manchester attack.

Interview: Innovative work in Scotland has helped drastically drive down rates of violence, including knife crime. As England’s capital sees sharp increases in gun and knife crime, around 42 and 24 per cent,  according to recent figures released by the Metropolitan Police, can Scotland's experience shed light on how to tackle such a devastating crime? Will Linden, Acting Director at the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) which works with Police Scotland, speaks to Policing Insight.  

Interview: In our continuing series on Police and Crime Comissioners, Dyfed-Powys PCC Dafydd Llywelyn looks back on his first year in office.

OPINION: A serving police officer questioned the Prime Minister on the "devastating effects of police cuts" on last night's Channel 4 & Sky News "May v Corbyn" election programme. Alison Hernandez, Devon and Cornwall's PCC, responds exclusively for Policing Insight with her perspective on police spending.

ANALYSIS: The seventh of a monthly series in which CoPaCC's Sandra Andrews takes a look at some of the most interesting and topical issues that Police and Crime Panels across England and Wales are dealing with. This month, Sandra looks at the scrutiny arrangements for the new Metro Mayors as some of them take over the responsibilities of Police an Crime Commissioners.

OPINION: Some vulnerable individuals can contact the police disproportionately often. Supt. Andrea Barrow and Prof. Stuart Kirby of the University of Central Lancashire explain how Lancashire Constabulary has worked together with partners to set up Early Action Teams to deal with vulnerable callers.

ANALYSIS: What are the implications of Operation Temperer? Ian Wiggett, former ACC and lead for counter terrorism, specialist operations and civil contingencies in Greater Manchester, explores the consequences of a raised threat level to police, the armed forces, and the community.

Analysis: With more and more forces opting to buy unmanned aerial vehicles or drones for air support, Ian Wiggett, a former ACC in Greater Manchester Police, examines their current usage and the implications for the National Police Air Support.

OPINION: Bernard Rix, Policing Insight's Publisher, with his personal thoughts on last night's attack in Manchester.

Interview: Chief Constable Mick Creedon QPM is set to retire from his role after 37 years as a police officer. In an exclusive interview with Policing Insight, Mr Creedon talks about the impact of the Frank Beck investigation, 'virtual' neighbourhood policing and why the PCC system is flawed.

NEWS: Our first look at the police and policing references in the Liberal Democratic Party's manifesto for the June 2017 General Election

NEWS: Our "quick turnaround" first look at the police and policing references in the Conservative Party's manifesto for the June 2017 General Election

Analysis: Last year's Police Federation of England and Wales' Health and Well being survey of its members revealed a mental health ticking time bomb. The association, representing officers up to the rank of inspector, says officers are at breaking point, so what is the service doing about it? 

Opinion: In our continuing series, Policing Insight talks to Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl about his achievements and the challenges he faces as he completes the first year of his second term in office.

OPINION: Ahead of manifesto launches and the Police Federation conference this week, Policing Insight editor Carina O'Reilly (also a Labour councillor) takes a look at what we can expect from the parties on policing – and whether what they promise matters.

OPINION: How will ongoing police reforms affect the Special Constabulary? Could their future include further integration with regulars - including the use of Taser? Dr Iain Britton, Institute for Public Safety Crime and Justice, reflects on his attendance at the annual national conference of the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers’ (ASCCO).