IoP Research

At the IoP, innovation meets insight. Immerse yourself in the dynamic world of student and staff research, driving advancements in policing.

Explore our pioneering ICYou research journal, dedicated to the critical exploration of Diversity and Inclusion in British policing. At IoP, we foster a culture of inquiry, encouraging collaboration and thought leadership. Join us in the pursuit of knowledge, as we strive to shape the future of policing through cutting-edge research and a commitment to inclusivity.

Serious & Complex: The Business of Organised Crime report

The Serious & Complex: The Business of Organised Crime report is a collaborative initiative from University of Staffordshire, NPCC, and EMPAC, offering critical insights into the evolving landscape of organised criminal businesses (OCBs). Built upon discussions at the Serious & Complex: The Evolving Nature of Criminal Enterprise conference in July 2024, this report examines how criminal networks adapt to elude traditional policing, venturing into areas like cybercrime and complex global trafficking networks.

This report applies a unique Organised Crime Business (OCB) lens, expanding the understanding of criminal enterprise through a business systems perspective. Key recommendations include:

• Proactive disruption strategies
• Targeting the infrastructure of organised crime (as one would a hostile corporate takeover)

This approach encourages collaboration between law enforcement, academic researchers, and financial analysts to develop sustainable, innovative responses to organised crime threats.

The findings and recommendations outlined aim to bolster both policy development and operational practice, helping to future-proof policing strategies within the UK.

This publication is an essential component of the ongoing NPCC strategy, aiming to enhance the operational capacity to tackle organised crime through strategic, data-driven responses.