N8 PRP Annual Report 2018/19

POLICING RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP n8prp.org.uk

Contents

Director’s Introduction ...... 2

Foreword ...... 5

1. Research Co-Production a. Introducing Small Grants, Jill Clark ...... 6 b. In Conversation, Phil Larratt ...... 7 c. In Conversation, Michelle Addison, Kelly Stockdale & Iain Mckinnon ...... 8 d. In Conversation, Kirk Luther ...... 10 e. Mapping the Contours of Modern Slavery – Two Years On, Rose Broad & David Gadd ...... 12 f. Ransonware, Lena Connolly & David Wall...... 14

2. Innovation a. Policing Innovation Forum 2018, Steve Brookes & Geoff Pearson...... 16 b. A Mental Health Response, Dan Thorpe ...... 18 c. Innovation Sharing, Rebecca Teers ...... 23 d. Public Deliberation and Restorative Policing, Ian Marder ...... 24

3. Data and Evidence-Based Policing a. Developing the People That Count, Fiona McLaughlin ...... 27 b. Harnessing Advances in Data Science, Dan Birks ...... 28 c. In Praise of Co-Production, Gloria Laycock ...... 30 d. Embedding Research and the Evidence Base into Police Strategic Planning, Rebecca Tennyson ...... 32 e. ‘Not a Minority Activity’: A Challenge, Sara Thornton ...... 34 f. In Conversation, Stephen Parkinson ...... 36

4. International Work a. The Role of Police Training and Education in Integrating Research Into Police Practices, Layla Skinns & Matthew Bacon ...... 38 b. Learning Police Organisations, Sirpa Virta ...... 40 c. A View from Down Under: Evidence-Based Policing in Queensland, Tracey Hartley ...... 42

5. Knowledge Exchange a. Fostering Knowledge Exchange, Nicole Westmarland & Donna Marie Brown ...... 44 b. Police Understandings of Community Engagement, Lisa Weston ...... 46 c. Police Joint Working: From ‘Crime-Fighting’ to Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Lindsay Youansamouth ...... 48 d. The policing and regulation of illegal drugs at music festivals, Verity Smith ...... 50

N8 PRP in numbers...... 53 1 n8prp.org.uk

Director’s Introduction t gives me great pleasure to introduce this, the fourth, Annual Throughout, the principles and For partnerships like ours to play Group. Nicky also served on the Report of the N8 Policing Research Partnership (N8 PRP). In methodologies of knowledge co- an evident role in transforming Independent Panel of Assessors organisational cultures (amongst both for our small grants awards and we late 2018, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of the inaugural production inform the design and I ethos of the N8 PRP. Over the past five policing and research communities), wish her well in her future plans. conference at which the N8 PRP formally was launched in year we have been seeking to advance they also need to be embedded and However, we are delighted that she November 2013. In looking back, it is evident that much has been the case for knowledge generation sustained in frontline practices. As has been replaced, as the College’s achieved since then. This report broadly covers the third year of in policing that is socially distributed, such, they necessitate the active link, by Rebecca Teers. Dr Jude Towers the HEFCE (now Office for Students) Catalyst Grant – from May application-oriented, trans-disciplinary participation and involvement has been an immensely important and subject to multiple accountabilities, of those who are charged with member of the N8 PRP team leading 2018 to April 2019. What follows does not set out to constitute a as the basis for a transformation in applying knowledge in the process the Training & Learning Strand and comprehensive summary of all that has been done or achieved the way academics engage with of its production. The reality is that playing an instrumental role in the in that 12 month period – that would be a rather boring tome, I policing practitioners and the value successful inter-organisational development of the data analysts CPD fear. Rather this report seeks to highlight and narrate a selection of and application of knowledge, data and research partnerships need to be programme. Jude has now moved the features, impacts and stories of change that have occurred in evidence within policing. In this report, forged, nurtured and supported at from Lancaster University to a Senior I look forward Gloria Laycock likens co-production all levels by people committed to Lectureship at Liverpool John Moores recent months. It affords an opportunity to hear from some of the to a ‘marriage made in heaven’ (p.30). realising the benefits of collaborative University, where she has continued people and organisations with whom we have collaborated closely to working Like many marriages, however, it working and exploiting the to support the N8 PRP in collaboration about their experiences, gains and challenges. It is my sincere requires a lot of work, negotiation, (sometimes disruptive) opportunities with Lancaster colleagues. I would hope that these insights into the working of the partnership help with our reflection, compromise, consideration for innovation and cross-cultural like to take this opportunity to thank informed the ongoing dialogue about how best to enhance the and mutual understanding. The learning that boundary crossing and her for her commitment, inspiration practice of co-production is never knowledge co-production provide. and energy from which we have all evidence base for policing and how to foster organisational and new advisors easy, but always rewarding. Co-production has both ethical benefited greatly. I would also like cultural change among policing practitioners and researchers. and existing and practical inferences. Sheila to thank Sara Thornton both for her Our experiences from implementing Jasanoff (2004: 6) puts this well: contribution to this Annual Report and This report draws together articles policing has been a major focus of the the N8 partnership highlight that ‘Co-production is not about ideas to her support for the N8 PRP over the that touch on diverse priorities and partnership and we report on some of partners science or ‘evidence’ alone is not alone; it is equally about concrete, years. I am very pleased that Martin strengths of our partnership. We the activities and initiatives that the N8 enough to ensure the utilisation physical things. It is not only about Hewitt, Sara’s replacement as Chair highlight the role that the N8 PRP PRP has been pioneering, including: the in planning of research. They underscore how people organise and express of the National Police Chief’s Council has been playing in generating new data analysts continuing professional the complex interplay between themselves, but also about what has agreed to join our Advisory Board. knowledge through the small grants development (CPD) programme – for next five knowledge (evidence), values they value and how they assume scheme and some of the co-production now in its second year – and data (politics) and implementation responsibility for their interventions’. I look forward to working with our projects that we have supported, the mobilisation workshops (pp 26 – 29). year stage of (behaviour change). As such, they new advisors and existing partners impacts they have made and the people highlight the need for a pluralistic On behalf of the partnership, I would in planning for next five year stage that have benefited from them (see pp While the N8 PRP is partnership rooted development notion of what constitutes evidence like to express thanks to a number of development from 2020 to 2025. 6 – 15). These small grant projects in and focused on the north of England, and the appropriate methods of people who have contributed I hope that you find this report have consistently demonstrated how from the outset we have accorded for its production, as well as a considerably to the development and informative, enlightening and significant, curiosity-driven and significant regard to the national and from 2020 nuanced, relational and non-linear work of the N8 PRP but have now engaging and if you wish to find out application-oriented research with international engagement and impact understanding of the social processes left us due to retirement, change of more please contact the project team considerable impact can be fostered of our work. In this light, a number of to 2025 through which knowledge generation, employment or transfer to a different – [email protected] – or visit with small levels of investment articles engage with national debates translation and application occur. role. First, Nicky Miller left the College the project website at: www.n8p k and a large dose of enthusiasm, and draw upon contributions from collaborations, comparative lesson- Realising organisational change of Policing in late 2018 and stepped commitment and institutional our national advisors, including Gloria sharing and organisational learning. I demands building relationships of down as our primary point of contact support from within a partnership Laycock and Sara Thornton (pp 30 – 31 am also delighted that we are able to mutual respect, fluid and permeable with the College. Since, the launch Adam Crawford, Director of framework that nurtures knowledge & 34 – 35). We also include a number include some of the insights, learning disciplinary boundaries, the absence of of the Catalyst programme, Nicky the N8 Policing Research co-creation. Additionally, we feature of reflections from our international and knowledge exchange that have a rigid hierarchy of knowledge forms has been a close friend, adviser and Partnership and Professor some of the work the partnership has work and the relations we have been been derived from the cohort of and a normative concern with action. supporter of the N8 PRP. We always at the University of Leeds. pursued in promoting organisational building with international partners collaborative PhD studentships benefited from her sage counsel and learning and innovation (pp 16 – 25). (pp 38 – 43). These highlight the working with the N8 PRP (pp 46 – 51). from contributions to the Steering The challenges of mobilising and abundant opportunities and benefits utilising data in evidence-based that derive from cross-national 2 3 n8prp.org.uk

Foreword am delighted to be given this opportunity to share my views about the positive engagement with the N8 Policing IResearch Partnership (N8 PRP) over the last 5 years. The police service operates in an environment of change linked to increasing complexity and demand. Calls for service from the public, and recorded crime levels, are rising, so the challenge continues of providing a sophisticated response with reduced resources across the public sector.

Forces need to continue to adapt to the modern policing environment and keep pace with on-line offending, to deliver a victim focused service that ultimately protects communities, tackles criminals and problem solves to manage demand.

There continues to be immense appetite from Durham Constabulary as a key policing partner within N8 PRP, for greater collaboration and aligning academic research with police priorities. Through events, such as the Policing Innovation Forum and the N8 PRP’s register of experts, Durham Constabulary has gained a means of accessing research expertise on a plethora of subjects.

Personally, I consider relationship building and networking as one of the ‘big wins’ to come out of the N8 PRP membership which has enabled many cross collaborative opportunities.

I look forward to our further partnership working.

Ron Hogg Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner 4 5 Research Co-Production n8prp.org.uk

Introducing In Conversation Small Grants Phil Larratt ne of the first round of N8 PRP small grants (2016-17) Jill Clark included the project: ‘Policing Bitcoin: Investigating, Evidencing and Prosecuting Crime Involving he Small Grants scheme sits within the Co-production strand O Cryptocurrency’ conducted by a team including: Philip Larratt of the Catalyst project, managed by Newcastle University. (National Crime Agency), Paul Taylor (Greater Manchester The overall aim has been to offer funds to support pump- T Police), David S. Wall (University of Leeds), Syed Naqvi priming, development, and innovative exploratory projects. (Birmingham City University), Matthew Shillito and Rob Through a competitive process, we have – over the course of Stokes (Liverpool University). Here, Phil Larratt, a member 4 rounds – funded 15 projects to the tune of some £340K. of the team, reflects on the project and its impact. The application process. The process shortlisting to 36 bids in total. The team tactical advice to UK law enforcement. for bidding and awarding funds has at Newcastle has a combined 75 years What were your personal Paul Taylor has moved from Greater deliberately been designed to be robust, of research experience and represent Forum has been particularly effective. motivations for involvement in Manchester Police to the North West transparent and as easy as possible to a variety of discipline areas and There has been a variety of activities the N8 PRP Small Grant project? Regional Cyber Crime Unit, which apply. We have launched each round methodological expertise, which we undertaken, particularly with the In 2014, we investigated a complex case also gives him oversight of local and at the annual Policing Innovation drew upon each year when reviewing. Training and Learning strand, where of cryptocurrency money laundering. regional cryptocurrency investigations. Forum (PIF) in the November, with The process was very rewarding end we have offered several sharing/ At the time there was a lack of closing dates of mid-January each enjoyable, as we looked for examples of dissemination events and the summer knowledge across UK law enforcement following year. Each PIF has been co-production, innovative approaches schools, where the small grant holders regarding both investigative methods Did the project allowed you themed – Cybercrime, Domestic to research and potential impact within have featured centrally. Finally, the and evidential opportunities. Following to gain significant specialist Abuse, Early Intervention Policing each application. Those applications small grants awards are inextricably the conclusion of the investigation knowledge in an emerging field? and Policing Mental Health. We that we rated higher on these criteria linked with the Evaluation strand of we searched for opportunities to Yes, the N8 fund gave us the autonomy encouraged some applications related were more likely to be shortlisted. the project and the general impact further develop our understanding to conduct some primary / practical to each theme. However, this did evidence collection exercises by the and identified the N8 research fund. research. The findings have been Leeds team. The real impacts of the Reflecting on the developments not limit our scope and we received Reflections. Each year we have noted subsequently applied to real world small grants scheme may not be seen since undertaking the project, other applications each year, some of that the quality of the applications has Have there been any personal investigations, which has resulted in for several years, and it is important we what impact do you feel the which were funded. The application increased, with bids demonstrating benefits to you by being several prosecutions and significant track and follow these as much as we research has had on best practice form itself is not onerous, with fixed stronger potential impact and involved with the project? seizures of cryptocurrency assets. can. It will be fascinating to see exactly approaches to cryptocurrency section lengths, eligibility criteria well-established partnerships. Our Yes, as a result of partaking in the what an award may lead to, whether it and its associated criminality? and required information. This has eligibility requirements state that N8 PRP project Paul Taylor [one of Has the project strengthened your is changing policing practice and/or Since the project we have presented worked particularly well to ensure a each application must include an N8 the other team members] and I both links with academic colleagues policy, feeding into CPD and training, our findings at national and level playing field although several university and policing partner, and successfully applied for the College of and provided you with a better leading to further funding or impacting international conferences. We have applicants over the years have tried to what have noted that each year the Policing research grant – we are both understanding of their field? on working relationships between also designed and delivered training (unsuccessfully) subvert the system by teams have become larger, and have now in the final stages of completing As per the above, working with academics and policing partners. to UK law enforcement and other key expanding boxes, reducing font sizes included multiple policing partners, Masters degrees which are directly academics as part of the N8 PRP stakeholders. As a result, we have been and adding supplementary appendices! and those outside of academia linked to cryptocurrency research. encouraged us both to apply for post- able to lead and influence best practice and policing, such as charities and grad degrees to further consolidate by sharing our knowledge and learning The review process. Following each community-based organisations. Dr Jill Clark is Principal Research Have there been any our learning and improve our writing with key law enforcement partners at closing date, a team from Newcastle Associate and Executive professional or career / research skills. The report that was local, regional and national levels. University – Dr Jill Clark, Karen Laing, Another point to reflect upon is the Director of the Research Centre development benefits from your published by the N8 PRP as part of Dr Pam Woolner and Dr Laura Mazzoli ‘joining up’ of the small grants scheme for Learning and Teaching, involvement in the project? the research has been cited in various Smith have reviewed all applications with other strands of the Catalyst Newcastle University As a result of the N8 PRP project, I journal articles and reports regarding each year to short-list. In terms of project. There is a danger that the spoke at various conferences and cryptocurrency investigations. Also Paul Phil Larratt is Senior Officer, numbers, this equates to 71 applications scheme sits isolated, but the direct subsequently moved from local law Taylor has recently had a paper published National Cyber Crime Unit at received in total over the 4 rounds, link with the Policing Innovation enforcement to the National Crime in the Journal Digital Communications the National Crime Agency. Agency where I am still actively and Networks entitled “A systematic involved in live investigations and review of blockchain cyber security”. 6 7 Research Co-Production n8prp.org.uk

KELLY: The grant was a fantastic explore pathways into illicit substance Reflecting on the developments opportunity to make links with new use by evidencing some of the work since undertaking the colleagues in other Universities, and we did through the N8 PRP award. project, what impact do you disciplines, to my own. It also helped feel the research has had on me to develop more specific knowledge KELLY: Since working on the project best practice approaches in relation to NPS and also in relation my research career has focused to NPS and its connection to the police custody environment. more on drugs and the impact of with offending behaviour? I think the opportunity to do small drugs, for example I am currently MICHELLE: Since undertaking the research projects such as these – and working on a project with Durham study we have had communication specifically the collaborative nature of Constabulary around drug markets, with the Home Office to share the the project – has had a wide and long- and I am also working on a new project outputs of our research on NPS and lasting impact on my research career; with Northumbria Police around we also submitted evidence to the inspiring further research, developing serious organised crime and young Advisory Council on the Misuse of new ways of doing research, and people. The project has also been Drugs: Call for Evidence – Custody- developing good working relations. developed further in summer 2018 Community Transitions (2018). We we conducted research exploring have highlighted the impact of NPS It has afforded Have there been any personal the impact of NPS within a prison on the area, police, and users at a benefits to you by being environment. In November 2018 high profile local event in the North me a brilliant involved with the project? I travelled to the Netherlands and East which included policymakers, MICHELLE: I have developed my spent time with their police custody health professionals, practitioners, opportunity to knowledge of a range of illicit staff with the aim to develop further academics and police. I think this substances and the links to particular comparative research in the future. study has provided solid foundations acquire specialist criminal offences as a result of to take forward further research partaking in this N8 PRP research. Did the project allowed you related to the prevalence of NPS knowledge in an It has been a fantastic opportunity to gain significant specialist now, and the development of an as an early career researcher to knowledge in an emerging field? intervention that could perhaps be demonstrate my own Project MICHELLE: It has afforded me a provided within a custody setting emerging field Investigator skills and to deliver a brilliant opportunity to acquire (e.g. prison, police custody). project successfully and on time. specialist knowledge in an emerging field – in 2016 the Psychoactive In Conversation KELLY: There were many personal Substances Act (PSA) was only just Dr Michelle Addison is a Lecturer benefits from taking part in the being introduced and as such the in Criminology at the School of Michelle Addison, Kelly Stockdale and Iain McKinnon research. Due to the nature of the N8 ramifications of curtailing NPS Social Sciences, Northumbria project the skills developed are much were unknown. Our research University; Dr Kelly Stockdale is ne of the first round of N8 PRP small grants (2016-17) MICHELLE: The grant enabled me to wider than research and writing, for helped to provide some insights Senior Lecturer in Criminology included the project: ‘Exploring Novel Psychoactive acquire a greater understanding of example: working as a team, working into the effect of the PSA 2016 in the School of Psychological an under-researched illicit substance in collaboration with the police, on users and on the Police. Substance (NPS) use and its consequences for police and Social Sciences at York O and the impact this can have on an organising events, disseminating St John’s University; Dr practitioners and substance users in the North East of England’ individual and the wider community. knowledge to different audiences. I feel Has the project strengthened Iain McKinnon is Honorary conducted by a team including: Michelle Addison, Kelly It was revealing how much pressure like I have developed and consolidated your links with police and Clinical Senior Lecturer at Stockdale, Ruth McGovern, Will McGovern, Iain McKinnon, managing the repercussions of my skills in all of these areas. practitioner colleagues and the Newcastle University. Lisa Crowe, Lisa Hogan and Eileen Kaner. Here, three NPS had on custody staff and how provided you with a better dwindling resources made this even Have there been any understanding of their field? members of the team reflect on the project and its impact. more challenging. The need to develop professional or career MICHELLE: It has absolutely a suitable intervention was highlighted development benefits from your strengthened my links with the What were your personal good opportunity to meet new in our research, which N8 PRP made involvement in the project? police – I am now working directly motivations for involvement in collaborators and professionals via possible. This research also highlighted MICHELLE: It has been a fantastic with Northumbria police to deliver the N8 PRP Small Grant project? the engagement events. I think it the connections between particular opportunity, as an early career on the Police Constable Degree IAIN: I think that the grant and has strengthened some of the police criminal offences (theft, breach of the researcher, to demonstrate my own Apprenticeship at Northumbria the project overall opened up an colleague links especially locally and peace, violence), access and supply of Project Investigator skills and to University where I am now employed opportunity to develop my knowledge has allowed me to take a wider view NPS, and increasing vulnerabilities deliver a project successfully and as a Lecturer of Criminology. and skills of NPS and qualitative beyond my previous experience in amongst socially excluded individuals on time. We were able to support an methodologies. It was also a really risk assessment and health screening. (young adults, homeless community). application to ERANID / DoHSC to 8 9 Research Co-Production n8prp.org.uk

In Conversation Once we have a better Kirk Luther understanding of such

ne of the second round of N8 PRP small grants (2017- that no other published research has – behaviours, we can develop 18) included the project: ‘The Manipulative Presentation we have peered into the investigative interview to examine the behaviours interventions to mitigate Techniques of Control and Coercive Offenders’ conducted O of those suspected of coercive by a team including: Dr Kirk Luther (Lancaster University); DI Julie control to provide a picture of the their negative effects Jackson (Cheshire Constabulary); Dr Steven Watson (Newcastle manipulative behaviours being used University); Professor Paul Taylor (Lancaster University); and by suspects. Once we have a better Professor Laurence Alison (University of Liverpool). Here, Kirk understanding of such behaviours, we can develop interventions to Luther, a member of the team, reflects on the project and its impact. mitigate their negative effects.

What were your personal gained invaluable specialist knowledge Has the project strengthened motivations for involvement in of the inner workings of the UK police your links with police and the N8 PRP Small Grant project? and how their practices are similar to practitioner colleagues and The N8 PRP Small Grant project was those in Canada and where they differ. provided you with a better my first research grant after arriving in understanding of their field? the UK to work at Lancaster University. Have there been any The N8 PRP Small Grant has, without The grant was the catalyst to working professional or career a doubt, strengthened my links with directly with Detective Inspector Julie development benefits from your police colleagues. Julie connected Jackson [a member of the research involvement in the project? me with Inspector Andy Miller at team] and Cheshire Constabulary on Being involved in the project has Cheshire Constabulary. Andy and I an applied and important societal issue provided me with the opportunity were successful in obtaining funding – the behaviours exhibited by coercive to gain experience in managing a from the ESRC to study the issue of control suspects during investigative research grant, supervise a post- young people’s comprehension of interviews. Overall, I am keen to doctoral research assistant, and work their legal rights in a project entitled: ensure that my research is informed by across disciplines and professions. ‘Safeguarding the Legal Rights of Youth’. real-world issues facing practitioners. Further, the current project has Working directly with Julie ensured already led to a follow-up research Reflecting on the developments that we could conduct a collaborative project that involves UK and since undertaking the project, research project that would hopefully international academics, as well as what impact do you feel the lead to some real-world change. international police collaborators. research has had on best practice Taken together, these are invaluable approaches to policing? Have there been any personal skills that have remarkably enhanced Our research is still in the early stages benefits to you by being my professional development in terms of being able to inform best involved with the project? as an early career researcher. practice approaches. However, we are There has been a wealth of personal keen to continue our work so that it can, benefits to being involved with Did the project allowed you in the future, lead to real-world change. the project. First and foremost, I to gain significant specialist have developed an excellent knowledge in an emerging field? working relationship with Cheshire I have definitely gained significant Constabulary and work in close special knowledge in an emerging Dr Kirk Luther is a Lecturer collaboration with Julie. Julie is field. The coercive control legislation in Investigative Expertise in absolutely great to work with – she is is relatively new (enacted in November the Psychology Department passionate, knowledgeable, and keen to 2015) and there is a major gap in at Lancaster University. use empirical findings to inform policy research examining this issue. and practice. Without a doubt she is the Working with Julie Jackson, we have ideal collaborator! In addition, I have been able to accomplish something 10 11 Research Co-Production n8prp.org.uk

Mapping the Contours of Modern Slavery, two years on Rose Broad and David Gadd

Small Grant project may facilitate longevity in a market that Using a mixed methods approach ‘Mapping the contours of modern is shaped by rapidly shifting patterns the research seeks to expose slavery’ project was initially a of migration and border control. Care the connections, tensions and collaboration between the University needs to be taken to ensure that interdependencies among victims, of Manchester, Greater Manchester knowledge of the breakdown of the perpetrators, those involved in allied Police (GMP) and University of Leeds. international business of modern business activity (whether licit or The main aim of the collaboration slavery is not obscured in favour illicit) and regulatory, law enforcement was to map the contours of modern of coding by exploitation type. and border control agents. The slavery as they appeared in 2015 data research will seek to demonstrate, recorded for the Greater Manchester The research identified considerable from official and offender vantage area by GMP and the Modern Slavery knowledge gaps and data issues and points, how perpetrators organise Human Trafficking Unit (MSHTU) concluded that more information and carry out their activities. The How kinship, romance and – formerly the United Kingdom needs to be retained about the role project aims to draw on offenders’ Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC). suspects play in modern slavery, own accounts of their role in the Conducted over 12 months in 2016/17, whether in terms of facilitating travel, crimes for which they were convicted intimacy, and/or financial the research mapped the victims, direct exploitation, or the perpetration and will look at how they justified suspects and geographical distribution of violence and sexual violence. The this to themselves, what specifically indebtedness impacted on their of the cases known to GMP in 2015. It generational gap between exploiters was said to those they trafficked, to found that the victim population at and exploited, often of the same what extent they understood the engagements with trafficking the time was two thirds female and nationality, together with the gendered laws they were breaking and any one third male and almost a quarter patterning of exploitation, evidence attempts they have made to leave the and/or migration journeys and of victims were children; many more the need to address the ways in which businesses of modern slavery behind. were young adults. Suspects were modern slavery is organised through how they knew their victims predominantly adults: one third communities and in response to The project will also develop an was male, two thirds male. Suspects economic circumstances as much understanding of how offenders Reflections on the Impact of The N8 PRP funding also allowed us to feasible and achievable, helped towards were on average ten years older than as via organised crime networks. become involved in modern slavery. the Small Grant project work with a police analyst from GMP’s the positive decision from the ESRC. victims, but there was considerable It will examine the relationships The N8 PRP award allowed the Programme Challenger team. This The N8 PRP project also helped us to variation by type of modern slavery. New Project perpetrators have with those who development of the quantitative partnership allowed us closer contact build on existing relationships with The geographical distribution In 2018, in part as a follow-on to the worked alongside, beneath and above element of the proposal which has with the wider Programme Challenger the Home Office Modern Slavery correlated broadly with areas scoring initial research, we were successful them in such activities, including how since been funded by the ESRC. The team and helped to develop a better Research Unit who were interested more highly on Indices of Multiple in being awarded grant funding from kinship, romance and intimacy, and/ work that we were able to do as a understanding of how the work might in the N8 PRP research and who Deprivation. The analysis revealed the Economic and Social Research or financial indebtedness impacted result of the N8 PRP funding enabled have operational impact. The research have subsequently supported us a concentration of modern slavery – Council (ESRC) for a new project on their engagements with trafficking the research team to explore the data, to practice element of the research is with the ESRC application and are on particularly sexual exploitation – in entitled ‘Perpetrators of Modern Slavery and/or migration journeys and how pilot the methods, develop the access very important and something that we the Steering Group for the project. the City Centre as well as two other Offences: Motivations, Networks they knew their victims. Additionally arrangements and further build on wanted to highlight in the ESRC project northern towns. The research and Backgrounds’. It is the first in it will generate a better understanding existing relationships with colleagues – the N8 PRP project assisted with the found that facilitating travel for the UK to study three sources of data emerging models of modern slavery in Programme Challenger in GMP. development of the research to practice exploitation represented a substantial David Gadd is a Professor of about this group: National Referral from which practice and policy This was led by Professor David Gadd in terms of thinking about policing and part of the intelligence picture. Criminology and Dr Rose Broad Mechanism (NRM) outcomes; police interventions can be derived. along with input from colleagues multi-agency approaching. Without is a lecturer in Criminology at crime and intelligence records; who are conducting some specialist knowing about the decision making the University of Manchester. The research concluded that efforts and primary research interviews – parts of the quantitative analysis; process of the ESRC, it is reasonable to tackle the more organised aspects conducted in this project – with Dr Elisa Bellotti at the University of to assume that the progress that we of modern slavery should address the those convicted under modern Manchester and Dr Carly Lightowlers had made, familiarity with the data interface with British offenders as these slavery legislation within the UK. at the University of Liverpool. and evidence that the research was 12 13 Research Co-Production n8prp.org.uk

Ransomware – Hackers are making personalised ransomware to target the most profitable and vulnerable. ransomware Lena Connolly and David Wall attacks tend nce a piece of ransomware has got hold of your valuable According to the police officers we information, there is very little you can do to get it back spoke to, another popular attack method is “spear phishing” or “big to leave very other than accede to the attacker’s demands. Ransomware, O game hunting”. This involves a type of malware that holds a computer to ransom, has researching specific people who little evidence become particularly prevalent in the past few years and virtually handle finances in a company and unbreakable encryption has made it an even more powerful force. sending them an email that pretends and so are to be from another employee. The Ransomware is typically delivered If the attackers gain access, they email will fabricate a story that inherently by powerful botnets used to send will try to infect other machines on encourages the recipient to open an out millions of malicious emails to the network and gather essential attachment, normally a Word or Excel difficult to randomly targeted victims. These aim information about the company’s document containing malicious code. to extort relatively small amounts of business operations, IT infrastructure investigate money (normally £300-£500, but more and further potential vulnerabilities. These kind of targeted attacks are in recent times) from as many victims These vulnerabilities can include typically carried out by professional According to the police, the criminals One way to improve this situation These kind of controls are crucial as possible. But according to police when networks are not effectively groups solely motivated by profit, usually prefer to target fully-digitised would be to better protect remote because ransomware attacks tend officers we have interviewed from segregated into different parts, or are though some attacks seek to disrupt businesses that rely highly on IT and computer access. This could be done to leave very little evidence and so UK cybercrime units, ransomware not designed in a way that makes them businesses or infrastructure. These data. They tend to favour small and by disabling the system when it’s not are inherently difficult to investigate. attacks are becoming increasingly easy to monitor (network visibility), or criminal groups are highly organised medium-sized companies and avoid in use, and using stronger passwords As such, targeted ransomware targeted at high-value victims. These have weak administration passwords. and their activities constantly evolve. large corporations that have more and two-step authentication (when attacks are not going to stop any are usually businesses that can afford They are methodical, meticulous advanced security. Big firms are also a second, specially generated code time soon, and attackers are only to pay very large sums of money, up They then upload the ransomware, and creative in extorting money. more likely to attract media attention, is needed to login alongside a likely to get more sophisticated to £1,000,000 to get their data back. which encrypts valuable data which could lead to increased police password). Or alternatively switching in their methods. Attackers are and sends a ransom note. Using For example, traditional ransomware interest and significant disruptions to a virtual private network, which highly adaptive so companies will In 2017 and 2018 there was a rise in information such as the firm’s size, attacks ask for a fixed amount as part to the criminal operations. connects machines via the internet have to respond just as smartly. such targeted ransomware attacks on turnover and profits, the attackers of an initial intimidating message, as if they were in a private network. UK businesses. Attackers increasingly will then estimate the amount the sometimes accompanied by a How to protect yourself countdown clock. But in more targeted So what can be done to fight back When we interviewed cybercrime use software to search for vulnerable company can afford and tailor Professor David Wall is Chair attacks, perpetrators typically drop against these attacks? Our work researcher Bob McArdle from computers and servers and then use their ransom demand accordingly. in Criminology and Dr Lena a “proof of life” file onto the victim’s is part of the multi-university IT security firm Trend Micro, he various techniques to penetrate them. Payment is typically requested in Connolly is a Research Fellow computer to demonstrate that they research project EMPHASIS, which advised that email filters and anti- Most commonly, perpetrators use cryptocurrency and usually between at the Centre for Criminal control the data. They will also send studies the economic, social and virus software containing dedicated brute force attacks (using software to 35 and 100 bitcoins (value at time of Justice Studies in the School contact and payment details for psychological impact of ransomware. ransomware protection are vital. repeatedly try different passwords to publication £100,000–£288,000). of Law, University of Leeds find the right one), often on systems release of the data, but also open up (As yet unpublished) data collected Companies should also regularly that let you operate computers remotely. a tough negotiation process, which by EMPHASIS indicates that weak backup their data so it doesn’t matter if is sometimes automated, to extract cybersecurity in the affected someone seizes the original. Backups as much money as possible. organisations is the main reason why must be tested and stored in locations cybercriminals have been so successful that are inaccessible to ransomware. in extorting money from them. 14 15 Innovation n8prp.org.uk

N8 Policing Innovation Forum Steve Brookes and Geoff Pearson

he Policing Innovation Forum plays a fundamental role grant applications each year being has been successful, and to develop Delegates at the forum have also and the morning’s interactive in the operation of the N8 PRP, bringing together the made by delegates from the forum a deeper and richer understanding of been encouraged to apply for other plenary session with actors was needs of the police service, expertise of academics, and and focusing on that year’s topics. A the enabling circumstances and how funding opportunities such as very well received. The opportunity T number of these have been successful, these might build capacity in other monies available for training, staff was also taken to gauge opinion in opportunities for funding. It provides an annual forum that resulting in completed projects in police services. A second examined exchange and internships. relation to the future charging for brings together academics, police, and practitioners from other the areas identified in the forum. manipulative presentation techniques the event once the funding for the services and organisations, focusing on a highly topical area of of control and coercive offenders and In keeping with its aim of encouraging PRP ceased. The majority said that policing. A focus for the forum is chosen annually at the N8 PRP In 2015/16 following the first PIF theme the third considered police officer innovative research, the Forum has they would pay for attendance. steering group and is driven by the needs of the police service of cybercrime, a successful application responses to coercive control. In also been able to support projects focused on the policing of bitcoin in all cases the key findings reports, who are represented on the group. The areas chosen to date have falling outside of the annual foci which One representative comment on the terms of investigating, evidencing published on the N8 PRP website, promise the use of innovative methods strengths of the workshop, that it been Cybercrime (2015), Domestic Abuse (2016), Vulnerability and prosecuting crimes involving identified both practical guidance or approaches. For example, in 2017-18, helped the delegate “to understand and Early Intervention (2017), and Mental Health (2018). cryptocurrency, with outcomes that and further research opportunities. the forum was able to support Enable the different innovations and hear included a guide to the policing of UK, a project building the capacity of the initiatives which are being The forum itself runs for a full day, solutions to the topic in focus. Finally, bitcoin and the identification of a In 2017/18 the theme of vulnerability and a number of police forces to evaluate implemented” and continued by starting with keynote speakers who delegates are informed of the funding number of practical and intellectual early intervention was also successful in and develop their approaches to referring to the ability “to link in introduce the challenges and new opportunities available and there is issues for further research. two projects that are considering early policing football matches through with like-minded individuals on developments. Delegates are then an opportunity for networking with a identification of honour-based abuse a system of trialling of new tactics other welfare concerns – such encouraged to engage with the view to establishing future research In 2016/17, the theme of domestic and policing vulnerability, which is an and subsequent peer-review. as our own staff welfare”. debates through thought-provoking and knowledge exchange partnerships. violence led to three further evaluation of the sex work liaison officer interactive exercises which have successful applications. One role in west yorkshire police. Both of Feedback from delegates who attend included plays performed by The forum is timed to coincide with focused on innovation in domestic these projects are ongoing. Following the forum has always been positive. professional actors. The second the annual launch of the N8 PRP violence, in which the central idea the 2018 forum on policing mental Following the 2018 event, very positive Dr Steve Brookes & half of the day consists primarily of Small Grants, which delegates are is for academics and police officers health a number of applications have feedback was given, with strengths Dr Geoff Pearson, University of Manchester workshops run by academics and encouraged to apply for. This has been and staff to work collaboratively to been submitted to the Small Grant Fund including the opportunities for practitioners introducing innovative a success with around half of all small identify areas in which innovation which are still under consideration. networking, discussion opportunities Delegates are then encouraged to engage with the debates through thought-provoking interactive exercises which have included plays performed by professional actors

16 17 Innovation n8prp.org.uk

Mental Health demands, calls to service cases, these demands are falling to such a state of severity that police to support Emergency Departments the police due to inadequate service are often used to fill the gaps that A Mental Health Response by experiencing various challenges with provision elsewhere. In my opinion, other agencies cannot. This is an outpatients leaving the department mental health care is a prime example. unacceptable drain on police resources.’ without being adequately assessed. the Most Appropriate Agency? Ultimately, ‘public safety’ demands In 2017, Sir Tom Winsor in the HMIC Is now the time when mental health consist of incidents in relation to annual State of Policing report, services receive the funding and Superintendent Dan Thorpe which the police rely on other partner declared: ‘the police are increasingly support that they so desperately need services to find long-term, sustainable being used as the service of first to enable people with mental health s an operational Police Superintendent, having the pressures of contemporary UK solutions. These can often be the most resort. This is wrong… The provision issues to receive the help they need been the Strategic Mental Health Lead in society or to someone who has been complex problems to resolve. In many of mental healthcare has reached at a time that they need it and from diagnosed with a mental health illness both the Metropolitan Police Service and A but is at home with little by way of now in South Yorkshire Police, I was delighted support and is feeling suicidal and to support the 2018 N8 PRP Policing Innovation needs to speak to someone or get a Forum in November last year at the Lancaster response from the emergency services. House Hotel. The theme – ‘Policing Mental Health: Improving I have seen, and continue to see, the huge gaps in service provision, which services, reducing demand, and keeping people safe’ – was results in the police being the 24/7 both a topical and pressing one. With demands on police forces service and whose officers try to do in most areas of the UK increasing, mental health is seen as their very best to support people an area where police are stepping in to fill the void left by other who are simply unable to cope. agencies that are struggling to meet their own demands. When I ask frontline police officers what their top three operational How well do we understand the demand coming into the police concerns are (excluding pay, pensions, resources, etc.), mental service? Forces up and down the health consistently features, with the main concerns involving country are certainly getting better the apparent lack of support from other agencies/health services. at thinking about demand. Police IT The reality is that at 4am when police have been called to an systems are now able to extract more occupant of a private home who is experiencing a mental health reliable data about all demands on the police service. This is of paramount crisis, who else is on hand to provide expert (effective) support? importance as we strive to work more collaboratively with partners and to For me, these are very interesting health crisis response, would we try to forecast and plan for future times for policing and the mental need to fund street triage schemes? demands. There has never been a more health agenda, as police forces up In my opinion, any triage scheme important time to work collaboratively and down the country are starting serves merely as a ‘sticking plaster’, with partners; sharing data and using to ask fundamental questions: How one that offers short-term solutions the evidence base to influence how have we ended up in the current until a suitable more sustainable services (including health services) position? What is the role of the health provision is introduced. are commissioned. I would imagine the police are increasingly being used as police regarding mental health? What that most police forces have similar problems are we (as police) trying to Having worked in various London demand profiles, in that around 20% the service of first resort. This is wrong… fix? These are some of the questions Borough’s for over 23 years and then of demand coming into the police we now need to be asking and in having moved to South Yorkshire, I service is crime related, another 20% is response to which we need to be have seen how different parts of the anti-social behaviour, around 45-50% is The provision of mental healthcare has seeking greater understanding. The country and different public services, ‘public safety’ and the remainder covers role and benefits of ‘Street Triage’ respond to a myriad of calls linked to administration, transport and other reached such a state of severity that is also the subject of much debate some form of mental health problem. elements. So what does the category and again more questions are being This may vary from somebody of ‘public safety’ actually comprise? It police are often used to fill the gaps asked about triage and its possible experiencing an urgent mental health consists of the more complex areas benefits. What is the appropriate role crisis, to an offender who has a rich of police demand, such as ‘Looked that other agencies cannot. This is an of the police officer in such schemes? history of mental illness and generally After Children’, Missing From Home and, if there was a true 24/7 mental appears not to be able to cope with reports, Missing People investigations, unacceptable drain on police resources. 18 19 Innovation n8prp.org.uk

the most appropriate service? Time a risk that the UK public will assume the Prevention Concordat for Better will tell, but with the Government’s that policing now has a mental health Mental Health, published by Public announcement of substantial increases Crisis Response provision, so when Health England in 2017 asserts: ‘People in public spending within the NHS they are experiencing difficulties, their with mental health problems… will and with the published NHS 10 Year expectation is that the police are the have swift access to holistic, integrated Plan, which specifically includes appropriate service to respond? I’m and evidence based care… By 2020/21, mental health, I remain optimistic not convinced that this is where we there will be a comprehensive set of that the future will be positive and should be today. I am yet to read any care pathways in place… reducing that mental health care will change report that evidences triage to be the the reliance on acute care services… dramatically for the benefit of those solution to the current problem. If it There will be a 7 day NHS providing who need these vital services. The is not the solution, what is it? Should urgent and emergency mental health People with mental health stated intention is that about 2 million ‘triage’ be a health response, which crisis care 24 hours a day… delivering more people who suffer from a mental is properly commissioned by health 24/7 intensive home treatment and health condition such as anxiety or CCG’s? If so, police would need to be not just crisis assessment.’ (p. 31) problems… will have swift depression will benefit from at least on hand to support where there is a £2.3 billion extra funding in the sector need and where core principles are With this in mind, surely the time access to holistic, integrated by 2023-24. It is anticipated that an activated (i.e. to keep the peace, prevent has come to see dramatic changes estimated 350,000 more children and crime and disorder, protect life, etc.) within the mental health care system and evidence based care… young people will be treated and an that will bring huge benefits to the extra 380,000 more adults offered However, the focus should not people in need of such services, and access to talking therapies, over the just be about crisis responses. To regardless of the required mental health next five years. New support teams in ensure a ‘whole systems’ approach, response, this should be delivered schools will help identify mental health collaborations need to look for by the most appropriate agency. problems earlier and support those in opportunities for early interventions need. Crisis care will see improvements and pathways into appropriate services. to services and will allow the NHS 111 There is also a gap in mental health Superintendent Dan Thorpe helpline to be used which will provide and social services provision that is the Strategic Mental Health 24/7 support. If this actually happens, does not cater for wide sections of Lead, South Yorkshire Police it will bring huge benefits to those the community who do not fit in a people who need these services. descriptive box of medical/mental or other diagnosis – often linked to Meanwhile, local NHS Trusts, Police alcohol, drugs, personality disorder and Forces, Police & Crime Commissioners a bland descriptor of ‘depression’. In and Clinical Commissioning my view, public services have not kept Groups (CCGs) have all attempted to up with social realities. We are focused In my view, improve things in their respective on responding to the types of calls that areas by introducing ‘Street Triage’ were prevalent 20-30 years ago. Since public schemes. These can vary, from then, very little has changed in mental being a telephone-focused service health legislation, service provision services via a Mental Health Crisis Line to an and capacity to make long-standing unmarked police car, which has a differences in public sector demands. police officer, paramedic and mental have not health professional contained within, Whether or not we acknowledge it, who respond to spontaneous mental policing is absorbing more and more kept up health related calls. I have some strong demands from other services. We need views about triage, which I appreciate to make a bold move and draw a line with social are views that not everyone agrees with in the sand. Health and other partner and although schemes are introduced services need to be held to account for realities with only the best of intentions, I commissioning services that are better question the police role in this agenda than what we generally have at present. and are we now accepting that the After all, there are many published police service is a core element of a reports which promise considerable mental health crisis response? Is there changes to this agenda. For example, 20 21 Innovation n8prp.org.uk

Innovation Sharing Network: A College of Policing Initiative Rebecca Teers

What is the College of Policing’s share innovation and effective connections with people doing similar innovation sharing pilot? mechanisms to get knowledge to work in other forces and allowing The College of Policing has recently the right people at the right time. them to quickly access other forces’ launched a new pilot which aims ideas. We will be responsible for to speed up the sharing of local The proposed network seeks sorting, analysing and categorising innovation across policing. The to address this, by developing the information received from innovation sharing network, which is and testing mechanisms which forces, determining which ideas supported by Police Transformation identify and effectively disseminate and practices are suitable for local funding, will support the identification innovation more quickly. and/or national dissemination and and sharing of local ‘untested’ how they can best be shared back innovation within and across What will it involve? with force contacts and PCCs as forces. It will involve a network of The College has asked senior officers appropriate via a variety of media. innovation brokers within forces who for their help by identifying people will identify and share innovative in their forces who can support the We hope that by identifying ideas practice from their force. This sharing sharing of local innovation. Some early, we will also be able to work with of local innovation at a national forces will already have people in forces to test innovation with potential level will allow ideas with potential specific ’innovation’ roles, others national benefits, with evaluation to be formally tested, feeding into may consider nominating those support, to help build the evidence base. the evidence base of what works with responsibilities in areas such as in policing and crime reduction. horizon scanning, evidence-based What happens next? policing or organisational learning. The innovation network itself will Why is it important? be evaluated to identify the benefits Recent work by the Home Office as part Once the network of brokers has been and the best tactics for sharing local of its Review of Frontline Policing, the set up, they will be asked to attend an innovation, and any development of College of Policing and the National event to develop and support them the evidence base in policing. The Police Chiefs’ Council through its to find and share innovation in the findings will be used to inform the Police Reform and Transformation most effective way. This may include future of the approach and help us Board has highlighted an ‘innovation running local surgeries or events, a determine whether more funding to Some forces will already have gap’. Officers and staff are put off dedicated email inbox and force wide support the network is worthwhile. sharing ideas because of barriers advertising. The College has provided people in specific ’innovation’ such as time, worry about risk and a small payment to each force to not being sure about exactly what to support them in these activities. roles, others may consider share and how, which leads to missed Rebecca Teers is Research opportunities and duplication. Evidence Partnerships Manager The pilot will focus on innovation at the College of Policing and the around specific priorities or current College’s representative member nominating those with Forces and Police and Crime national challenges. Brokers will of the N8 PRP Steering Group. responsibilities in areas Commissioners (PCCs) have identified continue to share innovations a need for faster ways to identify and occurring in their own force, but circulate local innovation. A key barrier this will also allow them. such as horizon scanning, to the identification and sharing of innovation is the lack of independent The brokers would continue to spot sharing by police officers and staff evidence-based policing or and share good ideas locally, whilst who are innovating in forces. Officers the College supports them in building organisational learning and staff need encouragement to 22 23 Innovation n8prp.org.uk

The sessions were entirely Restorative policing – a subject pleasant and people who for public deliberation? seemed strongly to Ian Marder disagree, were visibly n 2018, I worked as a Research Associate for the University about and share their views on policing of Liverpool to organise and conduct a deliberative event, as and restorative justice in general, and keen to listen to each restorative policing in particular. The part of the N8PRP’s Public Engagement Strand. The event I sessions were entirely pleasant and other and to explore took place on 24-25 July and involved a small group of residents people who seemed strongly to disagree, from Chapeltown in Leeds coming together to discuss restorative were visibly keen to listen to each other the topic respectfully policing. Participants were recruited ‘blind’ – they only knew and to explore the topic respectfully and that the event was about ‘police reform’ and that they had to be with open minds. As such, perhaps the greatest success was the learning which and with open minds willing to listen to different points of view and discuss their own took place on all sides of the room. opinions with others. Upon arrival, they were told that the event Most participants had not heard of was structured around the following question: ‘Should the police restorative justice or restorative policing; use “restorative justice” and, if so, how and in what circumstances?’ that is certainly no longer the case. They also had an opportunity to learn In the preceding months, I worked justice in his work; and one, again about why others might hold different you to extract fossil fuels. Do you benefits (such as victim catharsis) or a crackdown in discriminatory closely with Dr. Sarah Mosedale by myself, on the research evidence views on policing and criminal justice believe that the benefits outweigh and risks (such as revictimisation) of policing practices. Yet, while these to plan the event. This involved around police-led restorative justice; issues. The researchers learned about the risks – both of which can be victim-offender dialogue, they found concepts were all relevant and raised the challenges involved in planning estimated quantitatively – or not? it harder to assess the likelihood of at the event, none of them could really determining its exact purpose and n and a session in which the and delivering such an event, and the these benefits or risks being realised, function as the diametric opposite of location, designing and overseeing participants, in small groups, ambivalences which can exist within given the sheer breadth of activities the arguments in favour of restorative the participant recruitment discussed which were the best In contrast, restorative policing public attitudes towards policing and which take place under the umbrella policing. Restorative policing is such process, selecting and liaising justifications of police-led is simultaneously broad, vague, restorative justice. As the only scholar of restorative policing. How can a broad notion that it is difficult to with partner organisations and restorative justice and which multifaceted, contingent and nebulous. of restorative policing present, it was people be expected to estimate the articulate a case against it as a whole. prospective speakers, and deciding were the most significant risks, Discussions often came back to the fact a great opportunity for me to discuss benefits and risks of something which on session order and content. before a final whole-group that restorative justice is conceptually this subject with those who were elastic. It has been said to mean ‘all can be anything and everything? This is not to say that different discussion in which we reflected neither academics, nor criminal justice The two days involved the things to all people’ (McCold, 2000: 357) approaches to operational policing on the totality of the event. students or practitioners. In this sense, following sessions: and ‘restorative policing’ is similarly This relates to the second barrier to cannot be discussed in such a setting. the event had all the benefits one might contested (Clamp and Paterson, 2017; meaningful deliberation: the lack of Rather, it seems that combining n a brief explanation of restorative A more detailed review of the expect of a two-day seminar in which Marder, 2018). This meant that, while a genuine, authoritative and specific it with restorative justice created justice, followed by small-group discussions and the results of the a group of academics, practitioners participants could identify relevant dissenting voice. Our initial idea was an excessively-broad and overly- discussions of its potential groupwork can be found in Update and lay persons gathered together to issues, the ‘whole picture’ of restorative that the practitioners would provide complicated subject matter for such benefits and risks and a whole- 8 of the Public Engagement Strand discuss, debate, learn and think about policing was never quite established as the case for restorative policing, while I an event. Future deliberative events group feedback session; (Mosedale and Turner, 2018). Suffice an interesting criminological issue. a basis for the discussions. For example, would give the case against it. However, in policing might wish to focus on it to say that, over the two-days, the n several presentations, all of which participants had plenty to say about this felt too artificial when, in reality, somewhat narrower subjects; whether participants engaged in fascinating were followed by a Q&A and a At the same time, there were, in whether the police should divert more all the speakers could contribute to the police should divert more or fewer and wide-ranging discussions around whole-group discussion, including: my estimation, some barriers to or fewer people from prosecution. discussions on both sides. On the day, people from prosecution, for example, restorative policing and related one by myself on how the police meaningful deliberation. The first of However, this is only one aspect of however, none of us could really argue might be an easier starting point. issues. Still, I left with some questions use restorative justice in practice these was the complexity of the subject the restorative policing debate, as the that it shouldn’t happen at all – just that regarding the extent to which this (inclusive of some video clips); one matter itself. Fracking – an issue on police can use restorative justice with it needed to be carefully managed so could be considered a successful by the manager of West Yorkshire’s which there have been successful non-crime incidents and refer cases that the benefits were maximised and example of a deliberative event. Ian Marder is a Lecturer Police and Crime Commissioner- deliberative events in the past – to a specialist service, irrespective the risks, minimised. We could have in Criminology at funded restorative justice service; may be scientifically complicated of whether or not the offender is found plenty of speakers to argue in On the plus side, the event brought Maynooth University one by a West Yorkshire Police but is conceptually simple: shoot prosecuted. Additionally, while favour of harsher criminal justice, less nine lay persons together to think Constable who often uses restorative chemicals into the ground, enabling participants identified some potential diversion, more police accountability 24 25 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

I welcomed the course’s Developing the People That Count initial emphasis on basic Fiona McLaughlin

analytical approaches and n 2018, the N8 Policing Research Partnership’s I welcomed the course’s initial Training and Learning and Data Analytics strands emphasis on basic analytical it was great to see practical approaches and it was great to delivered an innovative continuing professional I see practical demonstrations of demonstrations of modelling development (CPD) programme to a cohort of police modelling and machine-learning staff engaged in data analysis work. Through a series try new tools and environments for and machine-learning try of co-produced modules covering the methods manipulating and analysing data. and theoretical understanding underpinning recent advances in new tools and environments data analytics, the aim was to augment the skills and knowledge Overall, I felt it was a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience. It was of practitioners undertaking roles involving the extraction, great to be part of a cohort of people for manipulating and manipulation, analysis and reporting on data and information. In with (largely) similar experiences of short, its purpose was to empower Data Specialists in Policing. analytics in policing and tackling these analysing data. new ways of working for the first time. Scott Keay, Data Analysis and Insight More recently, Evidence-Based Manager at Lancashire Constabulary Policing (EBP) practices have been I think I’ve made some good describes his experience of working in gaining momentum. This has connections for future collaboration, police analyst roles and the importance brought a positive shift towards this doesn’t just apply to the analysts of developing the analytical skills base. the analytical function and put the I met from other forces – the police analyst back into the spotlight. programme actually gave me time to During the last two decades that I However, with the rise of interest get to know the other analysts from my have worked for the police, the police around EBP, there is an elevated need own force better! I would recommend analyst role has seen its fair share of for improved research methods and it to anyone in our area of work as an ups and downs. Back in 2000, the associated analytical techniques. opportunity to get a broader outlook police analyst was placed centre stage on where policing analytics might by the National Intelligence Model From my perspective as an analyst be going over the next few years. (NIM). Analyst numbers grew, as manager the N8 PRP Empowering did opportunities and resources for Data Specialists in Policing programme analyst development with conferences has given an insight into a variety Fiona McLaughlin is an dedicated to crime analysis and the of new areas to explore that are N8 PRP Research Officer, publication of useful guides such as not covered in conventional police University of Leeds Become a Problem-Solving Crime analyst courses. The next step now Analyst (Clarke and Eck, 2003). is to enhance and develop the skills and knowledge that has been expertly Despite this, something wasn’t quite delivered on this series of training days. right and when austerity measures hit there was a significant negative Paul Mason, Performance impact on the police analyst role Review Officer, South Yorkshire and most forces experienced Police attended the programme reductions in analyst numbers. Crime and relates his experience. analysis was not fully integrated into policing, hindered by a dearth of training, rigid structures, a lack of time and available resources.

26 27 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

Taking a broader look Harnessing advances in data at criminal behaviour, science to support crime reduction strand researchers are Dr Dan Birks also developing advanced olice agencies are data-rich organisations and data analytics and offer an early warning system is one tool that is becoming invaluable in supporting for emerging criminal behaviours. computer simulations police and their crime reduction partners to make the P Machine Learning for Cloned of crime and policing most of the information that is routinely collected in day to License Plate Identification day policing. The goal is to support the effective and ethical In another example, strand researchers delivery of crime reduction resources in evidence-based ways funded under the N8 PRP Small Grants that maximise safety and minimise harm in our communities. Scheme are collaborating with West University researchers, are at the forefront of this new science Yorkshire Police to develop machine learning methods that aim to provide and are therefore ideally placed to support police forces with data new insights into vehicle crime. analytics projects. However, there are often legal, administrative Researchers are developing ways of and infrastructural barriers that prevent forces and universities analysing pictures of vehicles collected from being able to collaborate on data-intensive projects. from ANPR cameras to recognise those likely to be displaying cloned number plates. The approach uses neural The N8 PRP Data Analytics strand often used only for investigatory networks trained to automatically aims to reduce the impacts of these purposes. Working with Safer Leeds, capacity to analyse them, have led multiple constraints including crime these simulation techniques might recognise the make, model, year and barriers through streamlined sharing strand researchers and the Leeds to the development of ‘predictive’ risk, seriousness/harm, with the be used in practice. Working with colour of vehicles. These classifications of data, knowledge, practice and tools. Institute from Data Analytics are analytics designed to support day- likely effectiveness and resourcing multiple police partners the goal is to are then compared with vehicle It has attempted to achieve this by investigating ways to analyse free text to-day service delivery in these of varying types of responses. see if tools can be developed to help registration data. Discrepancies developing a long-term programme of data from crime reports – a process complex environments. However, police better understand the complex between these data allow software engagement with university, industry which requires natural language the effectiveness of this concept Computational Models of Police challenges of resourcing and demand. systems to flag vehicles associated with and policing partners. This article processing and machine learning has been subject to limited research Resource & Demand Dynamics number plates that may be cloned – highlights some of the exciting work techniques to look for patterns within in UK policing environments. Taking a broader look at criminal Ultimately, we expect our police warranting further investigation – and the strand is currently engaged in. large volumes of crime reports. The In collaboration with Durham behaviour, strand researchers are forces to deal with an increasingly with the hope that identifying them work aims to develop methods of Constabulary, strand researchers are also developing advanced computer diverse number of problems – from might disrupt future criminal activity. Extracting Actionable Insights automatically identifying crimes whose developing software to allow police simulations of crime and policing. tackling burglary and violent crime to from Police Free Text Data reports share similarities, regardless to assess the likely effectiveness These models, sometimes described safeguarding vulnerable communities Each year policing agencies and of how they were officially recorded. Evaluating and Advancing of techniques devised to forecast as ‘synthetic societies’, can be used and responding to critical incidents. their partners collect increasingly In preliminary tests examining Analytics for Police future crime risk, with the aim of to better understand links between And while the nature of crime is large volumes of data for operational residential burglary data, algorithms Resource Deployment optimising the delivery of crime individual offender, victim, and crime changing, the tools and datasets and administrative purposes. For a developed were successfully able to Threat, risk, harm and vulnerability reduction resources. The team aims preventer behaviours and crime trends we have for understanding and number of reasons these data are automatically identify unique types of are not distributed evenly across to make these tools available to N8 observed across society. The models, combatting it are also evolving. often underutilised in comparison crime commission; such as burglaries jurisdictions – with some locations, PRP police services, supporting which allow experiments to be carried to the collective investment in their where offenders were targeting at some times – experiencing more decision making in assessing whether out that would otherwise be impossible capture. To illustrate, police routinely vehicles by stealing car keys rather significant problems than others. In financial and logistical investments in real world settings, let researchers Dr Dan Birks is an Academic record ‘modus operandi’ free-text than other valuables – tracking trends response, police demand and the in such technologies are worthwhile. explore the possible impacts changes Fellow in Quantitative Policing data describing the means by which in these specific offences over space subsequent allocation of resources Moving forwards the project will also to societal behaviour (such as increases & Crime Data Analytics. an offence was committed. The large and time. Combining these new types that seek to respond to and prevent explore whether new techniques in reporting of certain crimes), police volume and unstructured nature of of analysis with other existing data these problems is not uniform can be devised to better reflect the practice, or public policy might have on these data dictate that they cannot sources, in the future it’s hoped that across communities. Recent rapid increasingly complex needs of crime and policing dynamics. Dr Birks be analysed en-masse using existing these tools will help crime analysts increases in the quantity and quality police – where resource allocation has recently received funding from the analytical approaches: and are instead better understand patterns of crime of data collected by public and is a nuanced enterprise that requires Alan Turing Institute to explore how private sector agencies, and the ICT police and their partners to balance 28 29 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

be some consequence to the abuse evidence base and contributing to Co-production – a marriage made The emergence of data. This notion has never been police knowledge. How are we going in Heaven – can help to overcome In Praise of more important than it is today. to do that? How are we going to reduce risks of data sharing by bringing of County Lines crime and increase public safety? How together the organisational and So, sharing data is increasingly seen as are we going to make best use of scarce ethical strengths of the police Co-Production ‘risky’. How do we manage that? Let’s police resources? For me, the answer and academics thus guarding demonstrates unpick this a bit. If the police share is that we need to behave like scientist against abuses of data, developing Gloria Laycock data there will ideally be an increase and engineers. What do they do? an evidence base for policing that criminals in knowledge and in the best case a Scientists understand the importance and giving academics a welcome was listening to a programme on Radio 4 recently. It was an reduction in crime and increase in of data and theory (the academic opportunity to make an impact. can operate interview with a Harvard professor – Shoshana Zuboff. She public safely. If they don’t share their bit) and engineers solve problems (the policing bit). If we work together was talking about her new book ‘The Age of Surveillance data then there are sometime serious What does the future hold? beyond I consequences. One example comes and play to each other’s strengths, There is a massive and growing Capitalism’. She said that in the old days the world was free. from the case of the Soham murders, imagine what might be achieved. agenda of important work waiting to their usual Nomads wandered around; they didn’t own the land, or the which occurred on 4 August 2002. be done. For example, current offence water, or even many of the animals. Then capitalism arrived and The victims were two 10-year-old girls, Today we call this co-production; classifications, whilst they may be the geographical all these things became commodified; they were bought and Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. Ian solving problems together: both best way to report to parliament on sold. We’re now used to the idea (although if you think about it a Huntley, a caretaker at local secondary the analysis of the data and the crime rates, are not always helpful in school was convicted of the girls’ use to which it is put. Data do not identifying problems that need to be limits. However, bit you can see the nomads point!). Her argument was that data murder and sentenced to two terms of speak for themselves; they have to prevented. For example, a credit card are now similarly being commodified. Facebook, Google, and life imprisonment, with a minimum be interpreted, and this is one of theft might be included in a burglary, police ICT the rest ‘own’ vast amounts of data about all of us. The analysis of term of 40 years. After Huntley was the things that both the police and handbag snatch or theft from a vehicle, these data is being used to influence our behaviour; how we vote, convicted, it was revealed that he had academics can work on together. so becoming very difficult to identify struggles to do what we buy, what we think. And the analysis of big data sets is been investigated in the past for sexual from police data. And some of the new offences and burglary, but had still been offences, which could be nipped in the revealing more and more about how to change our behaviour. A marriage made in Heaven? the same; agility allowed to work in a school as none of The police have all the necessary bud if identified early, are similarly lost these investigations had resulted in a information to specify the problem – or in a sea of irrelevance. An early warning is needed to The private sector has been working journey had been like – much to the conviction. The then Home Secretary, if they don’t, they know where to get system for these emerging threats is in this area for a long time. Tesco and amusement of the assembled class. We David Blunkett, ordered an inquiry into it; they can work on a solution and a high priority and one that is being M&S know more about my buying had to explain that we had incentivised these revelations, chaired by Sir Michael they are brilliant at implementation. developed by N8 PRP academics right tackle county habits than I do. And they use that the asking of the first question. The Bichard. In his final report, Bichard Academics are good at analysing now – with the support of the police. information to influence what I buy. outcome was a realisation that this criticised the lack of information the data; they too can work on a Working together has a multitude of lines crime. It is often called nudging – it sounds process was very vulnerable to sharing between police forces. solution, drawing on the academic advantages including generating a fairly benign. But people don’t like the unintended consequences and that evidence base; they can support sense of mutual respect between two feeling of being manipulated. Many it was probably not the best idea for A recent advert for an article placed implementation, and of course help very different agencies. It might begin years ago, as a prison psychologist, a prison. If a bunch of (presumably) online by Policing Insight said: with the assessment – did it work? to address what one academic paper I was responsible for a training law-abiding psychologists broke ‘The emergence of County Lines described as a ‘dialogue of the deaf’. course on the token economy. Token the spirit of the rules, how well demonstrates that criminals can In the context of a fashion for economies arose from an interesting would this work with prisoners? operate beyond their usual geographical evidence-based policing, financial This is an abridged version of a series of experiments in US prisons, limits. However, police ICT struggles stress on police budgets, the presentation that was given as which involved giving inmates tokens Despite the potential for abuse in to do the same; agility is needed to emergence of ‘new’ crimes often the introductory plenary to the for good behaviour which they could exerting covert influence on behaviour, tackle county lines crime.’ (Richard driven by the Internet there is, or N8 PRP ‘Mobilising Data’ event exchange for ‘treats’ – tobacco, cinema data analysis – including the analysis Helson, Chorus Intelligence 17/03/1) should be, increased enthusiasm on 25th March 2019 in Leeds. viewings etc. They seemed like a good of ‘big data’ – can be used for good. for sharing data. But we also have idea and we wanted to try them in the It can help in understanding how to It may be time to look again at increased sensitivity about data UK. I ran the training course as a token improve medical outcomes or reduce Bichard’s recommendations. And this sharing with the implementation of the economy, so delegates were rewarded Gloria Laycock is the crime. But who decides how it is used is about the police sharing data with General Data Protection Regulation. for sitting on the front row, asking the Jill Dando Professor of Crime and what for? For me, this speaks to each other – never mind academics. first question after a lecture and so the importance of ensuring a strong Science at University College It is important that we don’t throw on. By the end of the week, there had ethical dimension in the training London and Chair of the One of the things the police and the baby out with the bathwater. We been several rows about seating and of the software engineers, data N8 PRP Advisory Board. academics do share is an interest shouldn’t let the huge gains that one unfortunate lecturer was asked, gatherers, programmers, users… and in working for the good of society; might accrue from co-production to before he had begun his talk, what his of course the public. There needs to reducing crime, increasing the be a hostage to increased regulation. 30 31 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

Embedding Research and the Evidence Base into Police Strategic Planning Rebecca Tennyson

n West Yorkshire, we have developed a strong partnership with The N8 PRP’s Innovation Forums predictive analytics led to a Home context of increasing demand and academia, in order to implement an evidence-based approach to have also been beneficial, as they Office funded project ‘Patrolwise’, reducing resources, it is imperative The Force now have focussed on areas of policing which sees the effective targeting that we implement ‘good practice’ and tackling force priorities. Our Strategic Assessment identifies the I importance such as domestic of resources to hotspot locations. also learn from the things that do not has a Research threat, harm and risk facing the force and our force Management violence and mental health. They work. As research, good practice and Statement identifies our current and future demand pressures, as well allow practitioners in these fields to The force now has a Research Map, organisational learning sit within the Map, which as our capacity and capability to address them. These two important mix with academics, partners and which captures all the research that strategy function, we have ensured in assessments inform the development of our Strategic Plans, which fellow practitioners in order to share is or has been undertaken. This West Yorkshire that they have become ideas, good practice and discuss integral to the strategic planning captures all the deliver against the force strategy and PCC’s Police and Crime Plan. includes N8 PRP research, research potential research requirements. with other universities and also, the function. The research we take part research that the staff within the in is informed by our assessment of research that In complying with the National the force has benefited from research Being involved in co-produced force have undertaken as part of threat, harm and risk meaning that Intelligence Model, forces are well and evaluation around our mental research is important to the force as it their own studies. There is a wealth it is targeted to the most important is or has been versed in developing intelligence health hub nurse approach (which is brings academic rigour to our policing of research and knowledge within priorities and demand pressures requirements in order to help address helping to reduce policing demand policy decisions. The importance the force that we need to maximise. facing West Yorkshire Police. undertaken their crime threats. In West Yorkshire, around mental health incidents) and of embedding an evidence-based we have applied these principles in research to identify the scale and extent approach is recognised, with the Part of the Strategy Team’s role is respect of our knowledge and research of child to parent violence (as our force establishment of an Evidence-Based to identify the research and good gaps, and have developed a ‘Strategic Management Statement suggests this Rebecca Tennyson leads Policing Board in West Yorkshire practice that is ongoing nationally, Research Requirement’, which is an increasing, yet hidden area of the strategy function within (which has representation from which may inform decision making identifies the research that is needed to domestic-abuse related demand). West Yorkshire Police and the N8 PRP) and an Organisational in West Yorkshire. The Organisational help develop a more evidence-based has responsibility for the Learning Portal. The aim of both is Learning Portal has links to the College approach to tackling our priority areas. At the recent N8 PRP Data Mobilisation force Management Statement, to identify, share and embed good of Policing’s Research Map, Crime This Strategic Research Requirement Event, we pitched three important Strategic Assessment, Strategic practice within the force, commission Reduction Toolkits and the N8 PRP. has helped us to focus on the areas areas where research is needed; violent Planning, Policy, Research research to address knowledge gaps We have also recently established a that are most important, so that as crime and knife crime, exploitation and Organisational Learning. and develop a culture of innovation conference log to ensure those who a force we commission the right of children and vulnerable adults She is also the link with the and continuous improvement. attend conferences share the learning research, as in the past this has been and domestic abuse risk assessment. College of Policing around after the event. After the Society for disparate and un-co-ordinated. In particular, we are now working Innovation and sits on the The force is acutely aware that Evidence Based Policing conference in with the University of Leeds around N8 PRP Steering Group. undertaking research is not an end March, some potential good practice Research and innovation have now domestic abuse risk assessment, as in itself; the research must inform from research was identified around become an integral part of our strategic this is a significant demand pressure practice and stimulate discussion key areas such as Investigations, planning process and we have sought in our force Management Statement about whether policing policy/process Positive Action and Risk Assessments, to maximise the opportunities that and as part of our approach to tackling needs to change. In West Yorkshire our which the force is now following up, being in the N8 PRP brings. We have violent crime and knife crime; we are research project ‘Enable UK’, which was to establish whether these initiatives had particular success around the reviewing recent research around funded by the N8 PRP, led to a more could work in West Yorkshire. Small Grants rounds, which have led offender motivation/risk factors proportionate approach to the policing to a number of research projects being as well as patterns of self reported of football and resulted in financial The focus on research and evidence- funded around priority areas such as violent crime victimisation. savings for both football clubs and based policing has increased domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and the force. Our research project with significantly over the last couple of honour based abuse. In the latest round, University College London around years. This is because within the 32 33 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

If we are ever going to ‘Not a Minority Activity’: get the optimum results A Challenge from our national Sara Thornton expenditure on the hanging threats, increased expectations, growing the case for greater investment in complexity and less money are all compelling reasons to policing over the next ten years and NHS we must finally I would have preferred to be able to focus on evidence-based policing and what research can C rely on evidence much more than is be able to express the tell us about what works. In 2000, when I was on the Strategic possible at this stage. At a macro level Command Course I completed the Cambridge University we suspect that spending money results in the form of Diploma in Criminology and since then I have been a supporter on increasing safety and security and advocate of making the link from research to practice. will enhance the prosperity of the country but we have no evidence the benefit and cost to to make that case. At a more tactical In the subsequent 20 years I have by over 25 per cent while demands level our arguments in favour of the population of a seen a significant increase in research have increased. We need to use data investing in capability to tackle knife undertaken, greater awareness in and evidence to develop a compelling crime need to be stronger. We can all particular activity and policing of the benefits of research and long-term plan to make citizens rehearse the mantra ‘we can’t arrest consequently the body of knowledge safer and our country more secure. our way out of the problem’ but our has increased. There is still a long way the increased benefit understanding of the effectiveness of to go but I would support Hunter, May In 1972 Archie Cochrane, an early various prevention interventions is not and Hough’s cautious optimism in that could be obtained advocate of evidence in health strong. There are lots of good ideas and their review the ‘Evaluation of what spending, wrote: ‘If we are ever imaginative projects – but what will works’ published in 2017. I agree that going to get the optimum results give the best return on investment? if more money were the long-term aim is to increase the from our national expenditure on use of research evidence for policy the NHS we must finally be able to I have often quoted the Pfeffer and made available and strategic decision-making and express the results in the form of the Sutton Harvard Business Review article to make this a professional norm. benefit and cost to the population of a when asked about the role for police To do this we need to ensure that it particular activity and the increased leaders: ‘Demand evidence, examine is accessible, relevant to the issues benefit that could be obtained if logic, treat the organisation like an facing operational policing and more money were made available.’ unfinished prototype and embrace relentlessly focused on application. the attitude of wisdom’. I have tried This is equally true for policing and to do that as a chief officer for nearly I have concluded that it is very hard to while I would agree that we overdid twenty years – and when I have failed argue for significant new investment in performance targets and measurement to ask questions, it is often when I policing unless there is greater clarity 20 years ago, I think that the fact have failed. I have also found that on how that investment would make that we currently have no national politicians and officials are much the public safer. Of course policing is or local objectives undermines our have matured across the country when our instinctive response to a more persuaded by assertion that is and great progress made. The recent new threat is to consider research at under severe stress and desperately ability to explain to the public how Until late March 2019, Sara followed by example and evidence. Society of Evidence Based Policing the same time as we consider policy needs more resources. Our officers their lives would be safer and more Thornton CBE, QPM was and staff know this, the public know prosperous with more investment conference was lively and well and powers in the National Decision I have also worked with UCL, Oxford the first Chair of the National this and many political leaders know in policing. The public do care attended. There is excellent work in Model. The wisdom that comes and Cambridge, the Open University Police Chiefs’ Council and this. However, we are in competition how much crime is committed many forces led by practitioners. from research and academic study and the N8 PRP consortium to a member of the N8 PRP for resources with many deserving and how many cases go to court. should not be a minority activity but increase the contribution of academia Advisory Board. As of May causes – a healthy public, effective However, I will leave you with a should be a key component of what to policing. I have enjoyed those 2019, she will take up a public defence of our country or well- challenge. We will only have succeeded it means to be a professional police In the last year, the National Police interactions and been challenged appointment as the Independent educated children. It is not enough to in ensuring that policing is informed officer making good decisions. Chiefs’ Council has been working to see problems from different Anti-Slavery Commissioner. complain that policing has been cut by the best thinking and practice closely with the Home Office on angles. Relationships in general 34 35 Data and Evidence Based Policing n8prp.org.uk

A clear result of this trend is that universities are engaging more closely with a range of actors in their In Conversation: N8 locality on both research Research Partnership and innovation activity Stephen Parkinson

How do you feel the N8 These latter two in particular point is also an increasing focus on the in the needs of those who are mostly in new and more efficient ways, as N8 PRP’s workstream on Data Analytics PRP fits into the wider N8 towards a crucial role for more place- importance of universities’ civic likely either to use or benefit from it. well as making them more user- represents an excellent example of partnership? What have been based research and innovation that function and responsibilities, as major centred and empowering for citizens. the value that academic researchers your personal reflections during address the challenges the North faces contributors to the economic and The N8 PRP Policing Innovation – working closely with policing your time in the role so far? and which help to generate jobs and social wellbeing of places. As more and Forum is an exemplar of this kind of Perhaps central to this is looking colleagues – can bring to bear on these Since joining the N8 towards the end growth, as well as improving our vital more institutions seek to embed this user-driven research activity, bringing at the potential for technology to sorts of challenges. The Data Analytics of 2018, I have been struck by the public services. There is little doubt in civic function at the very heart of their together police and other practitioners transform the way in which public Digital Service (DADS), for example, is range and variety of collaboration that my mind that the work of the N8 PRP is strategic plans, it inevitably impacts from across the North with researchers services are designed and delivered, a unique digital resource that provides exists between the eight universities helping to deliver on these aspirations. on the type of research they engage from the N8 universities and making them both more efficient a one-stop-shop for police and and their partners, both across the in but, equally important, where beyond, to identify novel research and user-friendly. Allied to this, the researchers to work together on a range North and far beyond. Nowhere is Do you feel the ways in they undertake that research. As the opportunities, stimulate knowledge potential to improve services through of questions and projects which either this better encapsulated than in the which and the reasons for recent report of the Civic Universities’ exchange and drive innovation on the effective and responsible use rely on data or can be supported by the work of N8 PRP, with its sense of a universities engaging in Commission noted, tests of a civic topics that are timely and directly of the vast amounts of data held by use of data. Similarly, the Empowering genuine partnership between the research is changing? university include whether its activity relevant to current policing practice. government and service providers Data Specialists in Policing CPD academic institutions and 11 police Whilst universities – especially is aligned to public wants and whether represents a huge opportunity. Programme supports the development forces. The model of co-production research-intensive ones – see part its national and global activity supports Do you feel there is an of range of skills in data science, that informs all of N8 PRP’s work of their role as being to create the and strengthens its civic activity. increasing interest in what the Researchers working at the cutting analytics and machine learning for sets, I believe, a standard to which conditions to support curiosity- academic sector can bring to edge of fields such as AI and data members of police forces across the all of our other collaborations, both driven research, there is undeniably A clear result of this trend is that the public sector, especially science clearly have a great deal to North and in the UK more widely. current and future, should aspire. a movement underway whereby universities are engaging more in times of austerity? contribute in this regard but so too do universities of almost all kinds are closely with a range of actors in Public services and the public sector those working in the social sciences, The N8’s vision is to be ‘an increasingly recognising the value their locality on both research and more generally in the UK are under when it comes to understanding Stephen Parkinson is Research exceptionally effective cluster of of research that is inspired by, and innovation activity – whether that be increasing pressure to adapt to the the issues that public services need Partnership Manager at the research, innovation and training is directly relevant to, their locality. local SMEs and large firms with a base changing needs and demands of to address and people’s needs in N8 Research Partnership. In excellence, delivering benefits to the In the UK, this move has been in the region, local government and society, pressure that is only increased accessing such services. Similarly his role Stephen sits on the economy and communities in the further catalysed by the emergence public service providers, or charities/ by the budgetary pressures brought researchers in the arts and humanities N8 PRP Steering Group. North of England and beyond’. To of place as a key feature of public third sector organisations active about by austerity. Government can make a vital contribution in my mind this ambition is needed policy, through a commitment on locally. A key feature of many of these at all levels, from national to local, relation to designing tools and now more than ever, as we face the the part of government to both collaborations is the use of methods of increasingly recognises the part services that are citizen – and user- uncertainties surrounding the UK’s devolution and guided industrial co-production – involving the users that the academic sector can play centred, as well the ethical and departure from the European Union policy, via the Industrial Strategy. of research and those who will be in developing better knowledge and legal challenges that the increased at the same time as the opportunities impacted by it from the very beginning, understanding about the innovations use of technology presents. presented by devolution and the Universities play a crucial role in rather than merely ‘pushing’ the results that can help to deliver public services Northern Powerhouse agenda. this landscape, as so-called ‘anchor of research out to them. In this way, the institutions’ in their local areas. There research undertaken is firmly rooted 36 37 International Work n8prp.org.uk

educated police workforce as a better to “at least tweak their curiosity”. Much fit in knowledge-based societies, in of this initial success was attributed Traditional A critical “cog in the wheel”? which citizens increasingly wanted a to requiring all students to complete a well-educated police officer “knocking project where they identify, research university- on their door”. These developments and propose a solution to an actual The role of police training in Norway were also the result of problem in their community or agency. strategic intent. On recognising the They were also provided with coaching based benefits of education and training, and feedback on ways to enhance and education in integrating senior officers and researchers involved projects to increase the likelihood of academic in police reform over the last two success should they be implemented. decades set up the Police University Another key mechanism for promoting research and research into police practices College, introducing accredited police the use of research was said to be degrees, as well as encouraging police making knowledge accessible and expertise may Matthew Bacon and Layla Skinns officers to continue to participate in translating it into a format that could education including through Masters be used by practitioners. Launched be displaced here has been growing recognition of the need for police work. The Norwegian Police Service and PhD programmes. The flip side in December 2015, the Oregon and academics to work together in collaborative partnerships is organised into 27 policing districts to this, though, is growing debates Knowledge Bank (www.oregonkb. each headed by a Chief of Police. Their between more educated and research- com) serves as an online resource that by a police (i.e. research with the police) to advance knowledge T work is overseen by a National Police focused police officers and police enables practitioners to learn about exchange, translation and use. This alignment of police and Directorate which deals with high- officer-researchers, and traditional successful policing programmes workforce academic institutions has been driven by the growing status level strategic decision-making and academics about whose version of ‘the operating in Oregon, view practical of criminology and police studies and the need for impactful is supported by a police academy, the truth’ should prevail in situations of research summaries, and connect with training, education and the provision of accessible, up-to-date information research that engages directly with practitioners. It has also Norwegian Police University College conflict, including in critical decisions colleagues to share information and (Politihøgskolen), which focuses on about police practices. It would seem expertise. Besides collaborating on through digital knowledge-banks. been facilitated by a narrowing of the cultural divide between training, education and research. that traditional university-based an annual problem-oriented policing The latter may be particularly helpful police and academics, growing police professionalisation There are 172 policing agencies in academic research and expertise may conference, academics did not play a in locations like Oregon, where the and recognition by police of the need for research-informed Oregon, with 45% employing ten or be displaced by a police workforce able significant role in the activities of the geographical distances are great and practices and decision-making, and external input on their fewer officers. In 2013, the Oregon to do the research themselves (e.g. as CPE. In part, this was explained by the capacity to undertake training is low. However, as with police-academic work, in light of an ever more complex role in 21st century legislature established the CPE as part police officer-researchers based in the police distrust of academics and the of the Department of Public Safety research unit at the Police University belief direct and practical experience partnerships, the alliances formed can societies. However, these partnerships are still in their infancy Standards and Training. The CPE is College). These researchers are not only is most valued: “nobody knows what be uneasy, particularly in a ‘post-truth’ and sometimes founded on uneasy alliances rooted in cultural charged with delivering training on able to challenge academics on their we know therefore nobody else can world in which different groups may differences, and in difficulties with resourcing and sustainability. leadership, problem solving and the own terms, but also provide possibly offer us anything”. A further challenge seek to make claims and counter- application of research findings, as deeper insights that come from for police-academic partnerships claims with regards the ownership of and messages contained within In Spring 2018, members of the they have made to the development well as developing opportunities having also had a career as a police in Oregon is the small number of research on, with and sometimes by, International Strand team at Sheffield of evidence-based policing. for researchers and practitioners officer and from easier access to data policing researchers and university’s the police. Notwithstanding these University embarked on research to collaborate on improving the and to police research participants. that offer relevant programmes. difficulties, developments in Oregon trips to Oregon in the US, Norway Here, we offer some preliminary effectiveness and efficiency of policing. Indeed, interviewees stressed that the and Norway suggest that the recent and Sweden to interview police reflections on the role that police In the US, becoming a police officer evidence-based movement cannot investment in degree-level education practitioners and academics engaged training and education play in the In Norway, the mandatory does not rely heavily on formal rely on such collaborations. A mission for new recruits in England and Wales in partnership work. In February development of research-informed requirements for all new recruits education; the minimum requirement of the CJPRI was thus to provide is likely to be money well spent. 2018, Matthew Bacon visited the police policies and practices. This to undertake a bachelor’s degree is usually a high school diploma, training and education in research Center for Policing Excellence (CPE) is especially topical given the in policing at the Police University although an increasing number of design and crime analysis so that in Oregon and the Criminal Justice introduction of Police Constable College was seen as a critical “cog in agencies require applicants to have policing agencies could develop the Policy Research Institute (CJPRI) at Degree Apprenticeships in England the wheel” with regards the integration an associate’s degree. For many capacity to do their own research. Dr Matthew Bacon and Dr Layla Portland State University where he and Wales in 2018 and the ambition of research into police policies officers, therefore, the CPE is their first Skinns work in the School of conducted 13 interviews. In May 2018, for all new recruits to be educated to and practices. This higher level of exposure to the concept of evidence- Our preliminary reflections reveal that Law at the University of Sheffield Layla Skinns visited Norway and degree level by 2020. However, this was education of police officers in Norway based policing, and experience research-informed police policies and part of the team leading the Sweden interviewing 13 senior police also a theme that cut across the two was seen as helping to break-down of using research to inform their and practices arise in a variety of International Strand of N8 PRP. officers and researchers. The two field field trips. Before discussing what we cultural divides between police officers decision-making. Reflecting on police ways. Police-academic partnerships, trips had a shared aim to examine found on this theme in Norway and and researchers, enabling them to receptivity to such training, one including multi-force and multi- developments in police-academic Oregon (Sweden is not reviewed here), better understand and accept each interviewee said that, by the end of university ones like the N8 PRP, are partnerships and the contribution we briefly set out the context of police other. One interviewee regarded an the course, trainers usually managed part of this picture, but so too is 38 39 International Work n8prp.org.uk

complexity theory-informed approach to policing suggests that policing and Learning Police Organisations, police services are parts of a complex adaptive system that has three levels: the policy system, the organisational Knowledge and Innovation system and the individual practitioner level. At all levels, but especially at the policy level and the organisational Management level, knowledge and innovation management are seen as a response to irpa Virta of Tampere University in Finland provides The cooperation between the govern the complexity and uncertainty some comparative insights, reflecting on her Police University College of Finland of the environment, like changes and and Tampere University has been involvement with the N8 PRP as an international challenges of societal security, crime, S particularly close relationship during disorder and emerging threats. It has advisor and a recent N8 PRP event that she attended. the past 20 years. It is an illustration of been argued that within the context the value and benefits of academic- of complexity theory, arguments In her opening speech at the N8 PRP to 11. It has been argued that policing practitioner collaboration in the field of are made for the importance of Data Mobilising conference in Leeds regimes are in transition in the Nordic police education, science and research. creativity at all levels of the system on 25th March 2019 (a version of countries in general, and that this The Master’s Programme of Police (Virta and Gustafsberg 2018). which is reproduced in this report at is the case in Finland too (Virta and Management that we ran between p30), Professor Gloria Laycock posed Taponen 2017). Finland has moved 1998 and 2018 Tampere University It is my view that innovation a question: ‘Who decides what the from the so-called ‘Scandinavian was specially tailored for senior police management should be included in data is for and how it is to be used?’ model’ towards the ‘European model’ officers. So far, more than 200 police to the leadership and management This question is important but too of security governance and policing officers have completed their graduate structures and processes of the police seldom asked. I found the discussions (Virta 2013), mostly due to the rapidly thesis and Master’s Degrees, and eight organisation. Dialogue between on evidence-based policing and changing security environment officers have gone on to complete researchers and practitioners is very research co-production familiar to but also because European Union a PhD. There is a long tradition of important, and should be facilitated those heard in Finland and also from membership and EU strategies are now research-practice co-production, and made possible it adds mutual value. the wider European context. Despite such important drivers of development. however the police in Finland still lack The N8 PRP Mobilising Data event in the differences between police a strategic approach to police research Leeds was a success in this sense too; organisations, police training and Evidence-based security, policing and evidence-based policing, as well giving voice to, and taking account of, education systems, I would argue that and law enforcement is a wider trend as robust mechanisms or processes of everyday knowledge and experience more strategic approach to evidence- in Europe. In the European Union translating research into practices and of police and other relevant partner based policy in general, and to innovation strategy From Research action. The Finish police organisation’s authorities, increasing mutual respect evidence-based policing in particular, to Security Union (EC, Migration and ability to absorb and put to use new between professions and fostering is needed. The police are slowly Home Affairs, 2017) the EU-financed knowledge is not well developed yet, organisational and individual learning. It is my view that acquiring the capacity and realising research is seen playing an important although there is evidence of some I think that there are many comparative the need to be a learning organisation. role in developing innovations, significant new learning in this regard. lessons to be learnt from the N8 PRP innovation The N8 PRP itself has been a learning solutions and technologies for use It seems that police organisations tend experiences, results and outcomes that process to all participants, including by police and other law enforcement to adapt new ways of thinking and would be of value to us in Finland and management should myself, as a foreign observer. officials. CEPOL (European Union doing quite slowly. Regulation and to other police-academic partnerships Agency for Law Enforcement Training) legislation, hierarchical structures across Europe and beyond. Finland, like the other Nordic countries, has promoted research-practice co- and organisational cultural traditions be included in to has a unified, state-organised, production since its establishment may be obstacles but creative centralised national police force under in the European Council summit in thinking and innovations need to the leadership and the political supervision of a separate Tampere, Finland, in 1999. The first be encouraged and rewarded. Sirpa Virta is Professor of government minister (the Minister CEPOL seminar I attended was in Police Management and management of the Interior in Finland). The recent Lyon in 2001, and the reason I was Research-practice co-production Security Governance at police reforms in 2009-15 have been sent there by the Finnish Police was of knowledge and the processes of Tampere University and an structures and implemented in three phases, and the very idea of bringing new ideas translating scientific research results international member of the the administrative restructuring has and knowledge to the police officers in to the police training and policing N8 PRP Advisory Board. processes of the reduced the number of police districts studying at Tampere University. practices are important characteristics from 90 down to 24 and further down of a learning police organisation. A police organisation 40 41 International Work n8prp.org.uk

in 2007. The key component of with the opportunity for police With the scholarship award I am able the Visiting Fellow role is to build officers to apply for scholarships to travel and observe international A View from Down Under: relationships and facilitate research similar to the one which is funding best practice first hand, assessing between universities and industry my international research. whether any evidence based research partners. Police Visiting Fellows also or projects would be adaptable or Evidence-Based Policing provide critical liaison, acting as a key International Research suitable for our SBPO’s in Queensland. point for the exchange of information, Scholarship An area of particular interest is the and to facilitate the meshing of While serving with QPS, I have been a evidence based review of the Safer in Queensland police practice and research. Over Detective working in the child abuse Schools Project being implemented time the initiative has proven to be area and am currently a Tactician, with by West Yorkshire Police. I am Tracey Hartley particularly valuable both for the a focus on community safety through aware that the paper currently being individuals and the institutions. By the implementation of proactive crime written is looking at engaging young racey Hartley, Acting Inspector with the Queensland Police University of Technology (QUT) and embedding our Inspectors as Visiting prevention strategies. Both personally people over the next five years. Our Service (QPS), will be visiting the UK in October 2019 on the University of Queensland (OU). EBP Fellows in the university, it benefits and professionally, I am interested in Queensland Government priorities is an important part of contemporary not only our organisation through and Organisational strategies are also a research trip funded by the Suncorp Police Scholarship. the safety and protection of children T policing and the QPS is a strong the sharing of information, but and want to ensure that as an structured around organisational Tracey has a personal interest in the safety and protection of advocate and practitioner of EBP. Since also the national and international organisation we are assisting with early shift and preparation for the future. children and one of the primary objectives of her visit is to observe its inception, the formal collaboration experts engaged through our Visiting intervention strategies for these young By visiting the UK I endeavour to the work of the Safer Schools project delivered by West Yorkshire has resulted in QPS partnering with Fellows are extremely important. people to reduce harm, victimisation speak with academics, researchers Police. She is also working as part of the internationally renowned a number of researchers across the and re-offending. The main objective and police officers regarding partner universities on a range of the framework of their SBPO’s collaboration between QPS and three Queensland universities. In addition, the QPS has partnered of my research is to examine the different EPB research programmes. with Griffith University to create framework of our School Based and engagement strategies. In this article, Tracey provides an overview of the QPS Evidence- the Social Analytics Lab. The Social Police Officers (SBPOs) to enhance Based Policing (EBP) partnership, the purpose of her research One of the partnerships most Analytics Lab is a custom-built, community safety and security. Preliminary research indicates that visit, and how she hopes it will inform best practice in QPS. notable initiatives has come from secure research facility that stores, SBPO’s are an extremely beneficial early intervention must be occurring embedding police officers within manages and analyses sensitive resources to our organisation, our key early in life, in the primary school The QPS Model advance EBP. This has been achieved dedicated research teams at the administrative data for research and stakeholders and the community. By years. Through this early intervention The QPS has a long standing through a partnership with the three partner universities as Visiting Police teaching. Underpinned by industry examining the framework regarding I would like to give consideration to commitment to working with the leading universities in Queensland; Fellows. This began through a bilateral standard security protocols that role or functions according to vulnerable young people, enhancing academic community to progress and Griffith University, Queensland relationship with Griffith University enable the storage of individual level policy, SBPO’s themselves and our collaborative partnerships, intervention data, the Social Analytics Lab offers a stakeholders I hope to make best strategies and evaluate concept of unique platform where cutting edge practice recommends and improve crime prevention utilising the SBPO’s. academic research can be applied to our SBPO framework for the future. The learnings from the UK could the complex real world problems of a assist me in enhancing our policies, rapidly evolving 21st century society. I have been very fortunate to relationships with stakeholders and be awarded the Suncorp Police the current framework of the SBPO’s. Within QPS itself, we have a Research Scholarship. It is allowing me to and Evaluation Unit which guides and undertake research that will benefit coordinates research and evaluation the QPS and wider community Tracey Hartley is Acting activities across the organisation. in the area of crime prevention. Inspector in the Commissioner’s It is tasked with developing new There are a number of aspects to Office of Queensland Police knowledge to inform the evidence base my research including interviews The Unit is responsible for conducting Service. She will be visiting for improved organisational decision with QPS SBPO’s, engagement West Yorkshire Police between making and service delivery. The Unit with Queensland Education and 14-18th October 2019 and is proactive research, evaluation assistance, is responsible for conducting proactive international best practice by travelling keen to hear from policing research, evaluation assistance, project to Los Angeles, Washington DC, colleagues working in the project planning, leading collaboration planning, leading collaboration with Canada, UK and Scotland. Further, I area of her research. She internal and external stakeholders am reviewing the current evidence can be contacted at: Hartley. (including universities and researchers), based policing research that has been with internal and external [email protected] training and reviewing findings from published and linked to SBPO’s. stakeholders, training and reviewing published research. Engagement with EBP practices is also encouraged findings from published research through our leadership centre, 42 43 Knowledge Exchange n8prp.org.uk

A rolling open call will continue to provide funds to support projects into targeted and important areas of policing work

The following Staff Exchange important but often neglected topic. priority areas that could be used as awards are ongoing: In setting the scene, Helen Bonnick the focus for Masters dissertations. Fostering n Dr Charlotte Barlow (Lancaster (Helen Bonnick Associates) discussed Masters students are then able to University) is collaborating ‘Child to parent violence and abuse: apply to conduct a dissertation within with Merseyside Police to Should you call the cops on your kids, one of the policing priority areas Knowledge Exchange develop and deliver a tool for and other questions’. Dr Sam Lewis and they will receive a bursary of up measuring and monitoring the (University of Leeds) presented her to £2,500 to support them in their Nicole Westmarland and Donna Marie Brown policing of coercive control. research on: ‘Conceptualisations study. Beyond the requirement to do a of, and responses to, child-to-parent high quality dissertation, the scheme n Dr Donna Marie Brown (Durham violence in England and Wales’. Dr requirements are that the student (and he aim of the People and Knowledge Exchange Strand University) is currently working Simon Retford (Greater Manchester supervisor and policing partner if of N8 PRP has been foster greater mutual understanding with Northumbria Police to Police) offered insights into the appropriate) are willing to write a short and trust between the partners via people exchange, explore how hate crime is reported, T complexities of working in this area briefing note appropriate for a policing recorded and responded to and to including secondments, internships, and placements, and in his presentation: ‘Policing Parent audience. To date, we have awarded share examples of good practice. also to facilitate research into priority policing issues. Abuse: Collaboration opportunities four bursaries to Durham University n Detective Chief Inspector Louise for preventative intervention’. Dr and five to the University of Leeds. Thus far, the following Staff Exchange Dr Kelly Johnson (Durham University) Cass-William (Northumbria Police) Hannah Bows (Durham University) and Postgraduate Researcher completed a Postgraduate Researcher will be working alongside Jeannine extended the focus of the discussion Domestic Abuse Network launch Internship awards have completed: Internship with Cumbria Constabulary Hughes (Northumbria University) by encouraging us to move away from Across the N8 PRP there has been a and Greater Manchester Police. This to examine Adolescent to Parent focussing on the violence of young lot of activity and research related Violence and Abuse in an attempt Dr Rose Broad (Manchester University) study mapped the potential trajectories children: ‘Where parricide meets to domestic abuse, including small completed her Staff Exchange Project of domestic abuse cases as they to improve police responses. eldercide: an analysis of child to parent/ grants, conferences, and staff and with West Yorkshire Police (WYP) progressed through the criminal justice n Dr Alison Jobe (Durham University) grandparent homicides in the UK’. The PGR exchanges. To draw the greatest anti-slavery team and Barclays Bank. system. It identified shared policing is working with Northumbria day concluded with an interactive long-term value from this body of The importance of financial evidence practices for recording and responding Police and Rape Crisis Tyneside workshop delivered by Detective work, Nicole Westmarland and Kelly in building modern slavery cases to domestic abuse incidents, as well and Northumberland to Superintendent Melanie Palin (South Johnson of the Centre for Research had been recognised by the WYP as local force policies and procedures. investigate people with learning Yorkshire Police), Amy McKenzie into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA) at team and an operation had been The information produced from this disabilities experiences of the (Doncaster Children’s Services Trust) Durham University have established developed and implemented to use work has been of benefit to researchers, criminal justice System in and Tania Percy (South Yorkshire a new listserv network for academics, banking data to inform operational practitioners and service users. cases of sexual assault/ rape. Police) entitled: ‘How do we secure police (officers and staff) and data to understand the real prevalence activity. This project presented an n Dr Simone Santorso (Hull policing partners, to use to exchange of child to adult violence?’ Feedback opportunity to build on the existing Nikki D’Souza (Durham Constabulary) University) will be working knowledge to positively impact on from the day and following the event research expertise enhance by an conducted a case study examining alongside Humberside Police the policing of domestic abuse. has demonstrated the importance of earlier small grant (see p.12) and the the possibilities for using restorative to evaluate the deployment this conference in providing a forum operational and practical experiences justice in working with Organised of body worn cameras. of the WYP team and Barclays Criminal Gangs (OCG). This project to discuss this important policing issue Professor Nicole Westmarland is Bank representative to consider extended the work that she had and offering networking opportunities A rolling open call will continue to Director of the Durham Centre systematically the financial aspects of previously conducted alongside Dr for future collaborative research. provide funds to support projects for Research into Violence and modern slavery and how these might Xavier L’Hoiry (Sheffield University) into targeted and important Abuse (CRiVA); Dr Donna Marie be used to inform operational practice. through their Staff Exchange Masters Bursaries Scheme areas of policing work, where Brown is Associate Professor in award. Engaging OCG members in In response the increased appetite of the gaps in knowledge are most the Department of Sociology. Masters students to get involved with Professor Liz Campbell (Durham restorative justice piqued the interest prominent and where research N8 PRP and the lack of opportunities University) completed her Staff of the public, policing partners and benefits are of greatest value. Exchange project with Durham academics alike. Nikki has published available to them, we have developed a Masters Bursary Scheme. The Constabulary, which explored a report for the College of Policing, a Knowledge Exchange Conference think piece for The Conversation and scheme was opened up to all N8 PRP the suitability and nature of work In June 2018, the annual Knowledge has an academic article that she has universities who currently deliver of policing ethics committees. It Exchange conference focused on written with Xavier under submission Postgraduate Taught courses with provided academic input towards ‘Improving Policing Research and with a leading academic journal. a dissertation component. Each the shaping of the ethics committee Practice on Child to Parent Domestic university could apply for a maximum at Durham Constabulary. Violence and Abuse’. It brought of five bursaries. Working with local together key police experts, academics policing partners, universities were and practitioners focusing on this encouraged to identify policing 44 45 Knowledge Exchange n8prp.org.uk

This analysis of foot and Police Understandings of vehicle patrol will inform Community Engagement understandings of community Lisa Weston engagement practice he opportunity to develop insights into the day-to-day reality of criminal justice work inspired me to apply for a TPhD studentship in policing. Before I returned to academia, I worked as a practitioner in a criminal justice agency extensively affected by austerity. In my view, the subsequent organisational changes that occurred involved insufficient consultation with staff and limited comprehension of the practice context.

The experience demonstrated the Community Support Officers and significance of understanding Sergeants in two Neighbourhood criminal justice agencies, including Policing Teams (NPT) in one police the skills, perspectives and knowledge force in the North of England. of frontline staff, the workings of service delivery and the impacts of The observations provided the organisational changes on practice. opportunity to ‘see’ community These insights not only motivated engagement as perceived and me to get involved in academic experienced by police officers and staff, research, but also inspired my including being there for the unspoken approach to studying the subject of and unexpected aspects of their community engagement in policing. practice. It is through this research lens Understanding how the police work that I became aware of the different with and involve the public in policing interactional spaces that police officers is the central focus of my PhD. and staff occupy during foot and vehicle patrols of neighbourhoods. As The reduced resources brought about a result, I am examining the distinctive by austerity, increasing demands on communication spaces of patrol and service and the changing nature of how they can influence the type crime have required police forces to and nature of contact police officers make changes to how they deliver and staff experience with the public. policing. I was interested to understand This analysis of foot and vehicle what police-community engagement patrol will inform understandings looks like in this context and how of community engagement practice police officers and staff can make sense by illustrating how NPTs can foster of and deliver this type of work. Based two-way dialogue with the public on my personal experience and the and a detailed understanding of nature of the research topic, I decided localities. The experience of applying that the most suitable way to explore and developing my knowledge and police-community engagement was skills in policing research has been to observe police officers and staff invaluable to my learning at the same during their routine shifts. Therefore, I time as facilitating unique insights conducted 20 observations, totalling into community engagement work. 150 hours, of Police Constables, Police 46 47 Knowledge Exchange n8prp.org.uk

Police Joint Working: From ‘Crime-Fighting’ to Safeguarding and Vulnerability Lindsay Youansamouth

Topic ‘hung-out’ in offices and rest rooms. (e.g. streets, cars, meetings, At least since the implementation Pro-longed immersion enabled buildings) and material practices Lindsay graduated from of the Children Act 1989, joint in-depth insights into front – and (e.g. technologies, hardware, Durham University with a BA working has been a recurrent theme back-stage behaviours, perceptions software and forms). (hons) in Psychology in 2011. in legislation and policy. Multi- and attitudes of frontline and strategic Whilst studying, she worked agency working is viewed as a way police employees. Observations Recommendations and impact in residential schools for to transform fragmented services were supplemented with informal I am engaging in ongoing collaborative children experiencing social, into a more comprehensive system interviews and documentary analysis. work with the Evidence-Based emotional and behavioural that addresses the multiple needs of Research Hub, Organisational difficulties. Upon graduating, families. Emphasis is placed on a need Findings Development, Futures Team and Lindsay worked extensively for professionals to work together to n Contemporary research into police the Head of Crime at Lancashire across community, acute identify and find solutions to issues joint working is limited: reports Constabulary in order to translate and secure forensic mental which traverse professional boundaries. often predate the 2008 recession; the research recommendations health settings before being Highly publicised incidents including focus on the merits of a particular into outputs. This includes the awarded a bursary to fund a the deaths of Victoria Climbié and model (e.g. co-located teams); co-production of a media video for MA in Social Work. During Peter Connelly have repeatedly or lack insight into the ‘messy frontline officers; data regarding her studies Lindsay trained exposed failings in inter-organisational realities’ of implementation. police officer perceptions to inform as an Independent Domestic I didn’t realise research was relations. Meanwhile, financial Violence Advisor. She later n Often research fails to acknowledge the child protection action plans; constraints have prompted police practiced in child protection, ‘natural’ talk ‘behind closed doors’: and the development of a multi- forces to devise innovative, yet practical during which her interest like this. I thought it was which is essential to understanding agency trauma informed approach. ways of complying with changing in multi-agency work grew. the challenges of joint working. Recommendations advocate a need for: bureaucracy, whilst managing demand Perhaps unsurprisingly – at the just people working with n A move away from bureaucratic and maintaining effectiveness and n Police officers value the same time – the local police approaches to greater emphasis on efficiency; a situation which has opportunity to voice their force were seeking research fostering professional expertise; numbers, interviews or those contributed to a need for agencies to opinions: anonymously to exploring contemporary pool their reduced resources together. an ‘outsider’ who they trust. n Development of reflexive practice practices of joint working. In focus groups. It’s been quite One might argue that the mandate for n Police cultures play a key to support professionalisation ; consultation with Lancashire joint working has never been greater. role: police pragmatism n More formalised supervision Constabulary, Lindsay secured therapeutic this whole process, impressed other professionals; in policing (including multi- Economic and Social Research Methodology meanwhile, there remains a agency supervision). Council funding to complete you know, off-loading to This ethnographic study explores widespread officer preference a PhD in policing and multi- how police work with other public and for ‘crime-fighting’ rather than “I didn’t realise research was like this. I agency working. Alongside voluntary sector agencies, including: safeguarding and vulnerability. thought it was just people working with her N8 doctoral studentship, someone external, who you education, probation, housing, social n Absent facilitators are fundamental numbers, interviews or those focus Lindsay teaches social work at care, health, ambulance service, fire to the success (or not) of joint groups. It’s been quite therapeutic Lancaster University. In 2017, trust, someone who doesn’t and rescue, alcohol and drugs services working: including time, trust, this whole process, you know, off- she was appointed as a Research and domestic abuse services. During supervision, support and reflexivity. loading to someone external, who Associate on a Nuffield funded judge what you say. A chance the 18-month fieldwork, I observed you trust, someone who doesn’t judge mixed-methodology study n Non-human elements are meetings, shadowed non-warranted what you say. A chance to speak our exploring fathers’ experiences imperative to professional to speak our minds without police staff and warranted officers, minds without fear of repercussions”. of care proceedings. ‘boundary-crossing’: including followed police operations and Police Constable, Response repeatedly shared spaces fear of repercussions. 48 49 Knowledge Exchange n8prp.org.uk

Festival drug use increasingly presents for the event to be granted a license. is particularly discretionary, with the a commercial risk for the festival Relevant to drugs, there must be a majority of drug offences detected by The policing and regulation of management, in terms of customer plan to prevent crime and disorder, security never coming to the attention of safety, liability and reputation. and to maintain public safety, which the police unless a substantial quantity Recreationally used ‘party’ drugs such often translates into a ‘zero-tolerance’ of drugs are found. Written policies can illegal drugs at music festivals as cocaine and MDMA (in pills or policy to drugs when interpreted only reveal a limited picture of policies, crystal form) are much stronger at street within council licensing guidelines. since there are a range of informal Verity Smith level than have been for years, and a The widening availability of drug agreements and understandings number of deaths in both nightclubs safety testing has been instrumental between police and security that guide he music festival industry is worth over a billion pounds, with attendance at UK music festivals and festivals have been attributed to in challenging ‘zero-tolerance’ status the use of discretion when a drug reaching 27.7 million in 2015, making them an integral part of the UK’s ‘experience economy’ an adverse reaction to a high dosage quo of festival drug policy, given that offence is detected. Instances of festival of MDMA. When festival customers FOH testing requires a form of drug attendees being caught with an ‘above and a staple leisure pursuit of the British summer. Amongst many other reasons, some T engage in excessive, experimental and tolerance zone to operate and can threshold’ amount of drugs on them festivals remain popular for the liminal and immersive experiences they provide to customers. That poly drug use, the risk of drug related be seen as an acknowledgement can lead to multi-agency negotiation is, the sense that the rules, norms and constraints of everyday life are suspended and transgressive harm occurring is greatly increased. that drugs can get onto site. of how to respond appropriately. The behaviours are temporarily permitted. In particular, festivals with a strong dance music component Furthermore, drugs bought on-site decision-making behind drug alerts are more likely to attract a drug-using crowd, providing an attractive market for drug dealers. are more likely to be mis-sold. How My research investigates how festival of substances of concern (identified by festivals manage and respond to these drug policy and policing operates on-site drug testing) is another arena risks is a pertinent issue, as getting it within these commercial, legal where drug policy is the product of wrong can have harmful consequences and political tensions and interests. ongoing partnership negotiation. for both customers and the festival. It explores the process of policy negotiation between stakeholders, Beyond the festival context, the research In response to the steadily increasing the agreements made, and their can help enhance our understanding rate of recreational drug-related deaths, subsequent implementation on-site. In of police work within temporary, ad- a drug safety testing service called the summer of 2018, I spent over 180 hoc multi-agency partnerships within ‘The Loop’ was set up in 2013. The hours observing policing across five UK commercial environments. It provides Loop has been operating at festivals music festivals, at pre-festival meetings insights into some of the cultural with full police cooperation, providing and on-site during festival time. With and organisational tensions between both ‘Back of House’ (BOH) testing an understanding of ‘policing’ as policing partners, their differing since 2013, and ‘Front of House encompassing the decisions and perspectives of each other and what testing’ (FOH) since 2016. On-site activities of formal agencies that contributes to good partnership work. festival testing in 2018 revealed there control, manage and respond to the It can also contribute to the ongoing were a number of pills in circulation use and sale of drugs, I observed debate about the structural position containing three times the standard alongside festival management, of the police in relation to the private dose of MDMA. In 2017, The Loop the police, private security officers, sector. As local police forces have identified that N-ethyl pentylone, a welfare services, and on-site drug differential (and sometimes very limited) novel psychoactive substance (NPS) testing services. The research is experience and familiarity with the which leaves the user with psychosis ongoing with further stakeholder festival environment, it is interesting and insomnia, was being missold interviews and observations to consider the ways in which the as MDMA on-site at Kendal Calling. planned. The following provides a police seek to establish and maintain These findings led to social media flavour of my preliminary analysis. a ‘steering’ role over festival policing in drug alerts being jointly shared by these circumstances, such as through The Loop and festival management. My research reveals some of the unique national intelligence operations. practical challenges for controlling Given the growing popularity of My research investigates how There has been widespread support and policing drugs in the festival festivals, an in-depth investigation for drug safety testing in the media, environment. As outdoor events, the into how policing partnerships festival drug policy and especially in the aftermath of weather often plays a significant role work in these environments can drug-related deaths. However, the in how policies are implemented. For be illuminating and valuable. policing operates within introduction of FOH testing must example, when customers are queuing be negotiated at a local level with in the rain or the scorching sun, drug these commercial, legal and agreement of the police and licensing searches may be deprioritised in the authority. The four objectives of the interests of customer satisfaction and political tensions and interests Licensing Act 2003 must be satisfied safety. By necessity, festival drug policing 50 51 n8prp.org.uk

Successful New/Follow N8 PRP in on Research Grant Awards Numbers 23

Value of Pending Collaborative New Research Grant PhD Grant Awards Applications studentships £5.1 million 3 9

New Linked Number of Collaborative Knowledge Linked PhD studentship Exchange Fellows Academic awards & Interns Publications 7 12 12 52 53 Get in touch https://n8prp.org.uk

Project Manager: Steph Abraham [email protected] +44 (0) 113 343 9622

Events and Communication Coordinator: Oliver Abe [email protected] +44 (0) 113 343 7041

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