Articles
Driving Digital Evidence Innovation with the College of Policing
Unlike lawsuits 20 years ago, digital evidence appears in more than 90% of all crimes committed today. At our Digital Policing Conference 2024, Sarra Fotheringham, Policing Standards Manager for Digital and Cyber at the College of Policing, delivered a compelling session on the importance of workforce competencies in the digital evidence landscape.
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Protecting SMEs from Cybercrime: PCC Collaboration with the NEBRC
We welcomed Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, at the Digital Policing Conference 2024, who highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in protecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the growing threat of cybercrime. Her presentation focused on the innovative initiatives undertaken by the Northeast Business Resilience Centre (NEBRC), a key player within the National Cyber Resilience Centre network.
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The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape for UK Police Forces
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for law enforcement agencies worldwide. With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, the UK police have significantly enhanced their capabilities to combat cybercrime and ensure the safety of digital infrastructures. Police forces have been dealing with an estimated 7.78 million cybercrimes in the last year (GOV).
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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.
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Managing UK Police Finances Effectively: Current Budgets, Initiatives, and Grants
The funding of UK police forces is a multifaceted process involving central government grants, local funding from council tax, and other specific grants and funding streams. As of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the total funding for the police is projected to be around £15.8 billion. Effective budget management within the UK police forces is crucial to maintaining public safety and ensuring efficient use of taxpayer funds. With the ever-evolving landscape of crime and public expectations, police forces must navigate complex financial challenges to deliver optimal services.
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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.
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Supporting Female Police Officers from Minority Backgrounds
DCI Aneela Khalil-Khan presented at our Women in Policing Conference. Her research emphasises the importance of women, particularly women of colour and other minority groups, in policing and aims to promote their progress and retention in this critical field.
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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.
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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.
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Enhancing Women’s Representation and Equity in Policing: Insight from the NPCC
Janette McCormick, Strategic Workforce lead at the National Police Chiefs Council, joined us at our Women in Policing Conference. Her presentation showed that understanding and leveraging granular data is essential to effectively attract, retain, and promote women in policing.
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Initiatives to Support the Mental Health of UK Police Officers
Police officers in the UK face unique challenges that can take a toll on their mental health. From exposure to trauma and high-pressure situations to the demands of the job itself, it's essential to provide robust support systems for their well-being. Fortunately, several initiatives and resources have been implemented across various police forces to address these needs.
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WATCH: Addressing Flexible and Hybrid Working in Policing – A Roadmap to Inclusivity
Anna Rickards, Detective Inspector at Greater Manchester Police, and Chair of the GMP Association of Women in Policing, spoke at our recent Supporting Women in Policing Conference about Flexible and Hybrid Working in the Police.
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