Topical issues

INTERVIEW: The terror attack in New Zealand has exposed fault lines in the prevention of extreme right-wing related terrorism. Ahead of the forthcoming review of the UK’s Prevent strategy, researcher Neda Richards talks to Policing Insight about the findings of her unique research analysing preventative counter-terrorism policing and the impact of community engagement on public cooperation.

OPINION: How can police forces integrate EBP into their daily working practices? Insp. Roger Pegram, GMP EBP Tactical Lead and Vice Chair of the Society of Evidence-Based Policing (SEBP), discusses the aims, ambition and approach to delivering change at the frontline.

ANALYSIS: By 2020, 31 billion devices will be connected to the internet worldwide bringing with it a whole host of policing challenges, but increasingly police forces are rising to those challenges. The Police Foundation’s latest report showcases some of the innovative data-driven projects that happening both here in the UK and abroad.

OPINION: Policing is under pressure, meaning that officers push themselves to the limit. But is this wise? Serving officer Colin Paine argues that police cannot afford to see taking breaks as a luxury, but instead need to see them as a central part of serving the public.

ANALYSIS: Twenty years after the Macpherson report was published, Dr Lisa Long, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Leeds Beckett University, shares her recent research into the current state of relations between the police and BAME individuals and communities.

OPINION: John Gili-Ross is Chairman of the National Association of Police Fire and Crime Panels. He explores the evolution of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and the increasingly important role Police, Fire and Crime Panels play in holding PCCs to account.

Opinion: There has been a 40 per cent decline in intelligence analysts since 2010. Former GMP Assistant Chief Constable and now CoPaCC Director Ian Wiggett attended the National Intelligence Conference in Cardiff where he found local intelligence provision is coming under increasing pressure.

INNOVATION: Automatic Number Plate Recognition is already used to detect various crimes, but Birmingham University researchers have found that combining ANPR data with data on serial sex offences can generate vital new leads for investigators. Forensic Psychologist Professor Jessica Woodhams shares the findings of this award-winning* research.

OPINION: The emergence of County Lines demonstrates that criminals can operate beyond their usual geographical limits. However, police ICT struggles to do the same. Richard Helson, Customer Relationship Director at Chorus Intelligence calls for police to improve their agility by integrating better on a force-to-force basis.

ANALYSIS: Football violence hasn't gone away. But what do we know about the strategies that work to prevent and respond to it? Lucy Strang of RAND Europe reports on a new study into what works.

ANALYSIS: The latest in our Report Watch series, which summarises the findings of reports that impact policing and includes responses from the main stakeholders as well as media reaction, takes a look at a briefing written for Civitas called: Ending Short Prison Sentences - An Amnesty for Thieves and Burglars?

NEWS: World class policing is set to be recognised and celebrated with the official launch this week of the World Class Policing Awards 2019. Policing Insight is proud to be a Media Partner for these Awards.

OPINION: The Momo challenge that allegedly caused children to commit dangerous acts has proven to be an online hoax, but Greater Manchester Police T/Insp Stevie Swindells says the police missed an opportunity to nip the problem in the bud and use the hoax to educate the vulnerable on fraud and cyber awareness.

LONG READ: International policing missions offer a range of challenges, particularly cultural. Jan Leenslag of the Dutch National Police explains how he used ‘soft skills’ and cultural awareness to develop 'train the trainer' programmes in Afghanistan.

OPINION: The one voice that isn't heard in national debates about policing and crime is that of ordinary officers. Doctoral researcher Ashley Kilgallon of the University of Leeds describes this 'disqualified knowledge' and calls for incorporating it into a more informed debate about the complex problems of policing.

OPINION: Women police officers have come a long way from guarding young women's morals and caring for children. But are they still facing a greater burden than male officers? On International Women's Day, Carina O'Reilly of Anglia Ruskin University examines how far we've come.

INTERVIEW: New technology is accelerating the police service's ability to respond to the challenge of policing in a digital age, but Matthew Cooper, Global Offering Management Director at Hitachi Vantara tells Policing Insight the service should demand more from the different IT suppliers.

OPINION: Former Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police and now an independent advisor on police and technology Paul Kennedy unpacks the challenges of digital evidence and asks if solution lies in greater automation through robotics.

OPINION: The prospect of a no-deal Brexit is still looming, with the risk of the police being seriously overstretched dealing with its consequences. James Treadwell of Staffordshire University and John Lamb of Birmingham City University explore how the armed forces could step in to take up some of the burden - and the risks of such a move.

Interview: Police Now's training credentials are well established, having trained hundreds of young graduates in neighbourhood policing roles since 2015. Now the Home Office is looking to the organisation to help solve the shortage of detectives, estimated to be around 5,000. Is Police Now up to the task?

Analysis: The Prevent Strategy was updated and republished last year, as part of the counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), but Policing Insight contributor Andrew Staniforth explains that its failure to identify individuals vulnerable to radicalisation is why an independent review of Prevent is contained in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

Interview: CoPaCC's Police ICT User Survey revealed the depth of discontent among frontline officers and staff with their ICT provision, but what also emerged was a lack of consultation with some users before they are given a new piece of 'kit'. Police Federation lead on technology Simon Kempton argues the frontline should have a greater say in IT procurement decisions for the benefit of the public, police and suppliers.

ANALYSIS: Does the hierarchical nature of the police service impact negatively on officers' health and wellbeing? Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation, explores the findings of their latest report, Police Workforce Wellbeing and Organisational Development, which argues for a more inclusive management culture.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) are pleased to announce we will be holding a conference on PCC Fire Governance on 28th March at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.