Communities

Everton Free School Crime Prevention Initiatives

Stephen Baker, the principal of Everton Free School and Football College, and Assistant Head Andrew Pearl, are pioneering new strategies to address behavioural challenges and criminal exploitation among vulnerable youth in Liverpool. Their innovative approach integrates multi-agency collaboration and focuses on understanding and meeting the underlying needs of at-risk students.

Keep reading

The NCA’s Central Role in Fighting Cybercrime & Ransomware

Cybercrime has emerged as a Tier One national security threat, with ransomware identified as one of the most significant and pervasive dangers facing nations and organisations alike. The UK has seen a substantial rise in ransomware incidents, with recorded attacks increasing by 55% in 2023, and continuing into 2024. The majority of these attacks have targeted critical sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing, which have become prime targets due to their reliance on essential services​.

Keep reading

Protecting Young People in Liverpool: Merseyside Police’s Collaborative Approach

Liverpool is the third most dangerous major city in the UK, with the most common crime being violence and sexual offences, with 27,200 offences during 2023 (Crime Rate). We welcomed Detective Superintendent Andy O'Connor of Merseyside Police to share insights from his career at our Tackling Gangs Conference 2024.

Keep reading

Southport: A Catalyst for Anti-Social Behaviour & Far-Right Riots

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) remains a pressing concern in the United Kingdom, encompassing actions that cause harassment, alarm, or distress. The Southport stabbings and subsequent disorder in July-August of 2024 serve as a critical case study, highlighting the underlying causes, impacts, and responses to ASB.

Keep reading

Overcrowding in UK Prisons: Misbehaviour & Rehabilitation Initiatives

Overcrowding in UK prisons remains a significant concern in 2024, with the prison population in England and Wales nearing 97,700 inmates (House of Commons Library)​​. This high occupancy rate challenges the maintenance of safety, effective rehabilitation, and prisoner well-being. In July 2024, plans were announced for prisoners to be released early to ease overcrowding. Currently, prisoners are released after 50% of their sentence; this is being reduced to 40% to ease overcrowding.

Keep reading

Overview of the National County Lines Coordination Centre’s Efforts

Melanie Barr, Head of Analysis, National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), Metropolitan Police, joined us at our National Combatting Gangs, Violence and County Lines Conference 2023. The NCLCC is engaged in comprehensive data collection and analysis related to county lines across the country.

Keep reading

Forced Marriage & Honour-Based Abuse: An Investigator’s Perspective

Victims of honour-based abuse will experience abuse for at least five years before reporting. Mindy Mahill, a retired Serious and Complex Crime Investigator, led the first forced marriage conviction in England. He shared his insights at our Tackling Honour-based Abuse Conference 2024.

Keep reading

Enhancing Victim Support: Best Practice at West Mercia Police

Approximately one in six people aged 16 years and over (16.1%) reported experiencing a crime in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) in the year ending March 2023 (ONS). Matthew Chester, Head of Victim Services at West Mercia Police shared insights on the force's approach at our Victim Services Conference.

Keep reading

How Six Police Forces Are Tackling Technology-Driven Crimes

While modern technology offers significant benefits to policing, it also presents new challenges and threats. This article explains the types of technology being faced and strategies police are using to counteract it.

Keep reading

Child Sexual Exploitation Holistic Strategy: West Midlands Police

Child sexual exploitation is a complex and deeply troubling issue that requires more than just law enforcement solutions. Tom McNeil, Assistant PCC at West Midlands Police, a prominent figure in crime prevention and community safety, has highlighted the critical need for a multifaceted approach to tackle this problem effectively.

Keep reading

Police-Community Relationships: Importance & Strategies

Improving relationships between police and communities is essential for fostering trust, cooperation, and public safety. This is particularly critical for various types of police forces and units that serve diverse and high-need areas. Here's why strong police-community relationships matter and how they can be achieved.

Keep reading

WATCH: The Met Police Respond to County Lines & Child Exploitation

Duncan Evans delved into the complex issue of county lines, shedding light on the dark underbelly of drug trafficking and exploitation in urban and rural areas. County lines, a term encapsulating the movement of illegal drugs facilitated by the coercion of vulnerable individuals, particularly children and adults, represent a deeply entrenched societal challenge.

Keep reading