What Works Centre News Updates

Our fifth scheme was launched in March, just as police forces responded to the unprecedented situation caused by the pandemic. We were pleased to receive over 130 applications from officers and staff across 40 forces in England and Wales. 

Going equipped is a new publication for policing. Its focus is on sharing ideas, practice and insights within policing. All of the content is written and reviewed by police officers and staff and the Editorial Board has members from across policing.

A new report has been published which aims to encourage and support long term planning within policing.

The Crime Reduction Toolkit provides access to the best-available evidence on what works to reduce crime. Our latest intervention added to the Toolkit shows that overall, prison visits can reduce re-offending by a quarter.

The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) commissioned the Officer and Staff Safety Review in September 2019 following a number of serious assaults on police that had attracted both police and public interest about the welfare of officers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated new research activity relating to its impact on policing, crime patterns and some of the wider social and public health issues. Summaries of several of these projects can be found on our Research Map.

Sgt Lorna Dennison-Wilkins is a police search advisor at Sussex Police and is undertaking a PhD at the University of Dundee with funding from the College bursary scheme. Here she tells us about her unique research into the movement of bodies in water.