Establishment of a research hub to help in the fight against organised crime

De Montfort University has taken the lead in establishing a research hub to help in the fight against organised crime. University academics have linked up with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), the regional police force dealing with organised crime, to work together in a series of areas. The hope is that the expertise of academics can give different perspectives to allow police to not only fight and disrupt crime, but also get a step ahead of the organised criminals. 

The recently-formed regional academic hub aims to delivers research and activity that disrupts organised crime networks and informs Home Office policy on how some of society’s biggest challenges are policed to drive innovation. The hub has been joined by academics from the Psychology, Computer Science, Law, Accountancy, Education, Community and Youth, Business, Criminology, Policing and the Public Engagement departments. Mixed groups of academics and police are tackling 5 key operational priorities - international links; understanding digital technologies; organised crime gang business models; protection from organised crime; and what methods work. 

Learn more about the project here.