Impact
At the Crime and Policing Research Centre (CPRC), we are committed to delivering high-quality, problem-solving research and consultancy that addresses real-world challenges in crime, policing, anti-social behaviour, and public security.
Making a Difference
Our mission is to create meaningful impact for police forces, criminal justice practitioners, and community partners by helping to solve the crime-related problems that affect people’s lives. We work collaboratively with stakeholders to understand the root causes of crime and disorder, and to develop evidence-based, practical solutions tailored to specific contexts.
A problem-solving ethos is central to everything we do. By working closely with police and partner agencies, we investigate the underlying mechanisms of crime and security issues and co-create interventions that are both effective and sustainable.
Spotlight on Impact
Self-Selection Policing (SSP)
Developed at the University of Huddersfield by Professors Jason Roach and Ken Pease, SSP is an innovative approach to identifying serious offenders through the minor offences they commit.
Based on the principle that “those who do big bad things also do-little bad things,” SSP highlights specific minor ‘trigger offences’—such as driving while disqualified or parking in disabled bays without a permit—that are statistically linked to more serious criminality.
Over the past two decades, SSP has gained traction among UK police forces and was recently cited in a Parliamentary Affairs Select Committee report on prolific shop theft. The approach has been widely published in academic and policy literature and continues to influence proactive policing strategies.
Wellbeing in Policing
The Crime and Policing Research Centre is the UK’s leading centre dedicated to advancing police wellbeing research. Our team of expert researchers collaborates with police forces across the country to design and implement evidence-based interventions that enhance the wellbeing of officers.
We have partnered with the National Police Wellbeing Service to deliver in-depth insights into the wellbeing of new recruits, family liaison officers, and the psychological impact of assaults on police personnel. Our work has informed national strategies and local practices alike with many of our staff advising National Working Groups.
In addition to our research, we provide consultancy services to local police forces, helping them tailor their wellbeing initiatives to meet specific needs. Our academic contributions are extensive, with over ten PhD researchers currently working or having worked in this field, and a strong portfolio of published studies that continue to shape policy and practice.
