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Evidence-Based Policing: Are New Academic Centres Key to Unlocking UK Police Performance?

James Jeram

The landscape of UK policing is one of constant evolution, with forces continually seeking ways to enhance performance, improve efficiency, and build public trust against a backdrop of complex and shifting challenges. In this demanding environment, the call for

'evidence-based policing' – the idea that decision-making should be grounded in rigorous research and data – has grown louder. A significant new development in May 2025 has brought this into sharp focus: the launch of nine Policing Academic Centres of Excellence

(P-ACEs). But what exactly are these centres, and could they genuinely be a key to unlocking enhanced police performance across the UK?

This initiative represents a concerted effort to bridge the gap between academic insight and operational practice. For police leaders, detectives, and procurement officials, understanding the potential of these centres is crucial as they navigate the future of law enforcement.

 

What are the Policing Academic Centres of Excellence (P-ACEs)?

The Policing Academic Centres of Excellence are a new initiative, jointly funded with £4.5 million by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Announced in May 2025, with centres expected to launch formally later in the year (some sources indicate October 2025), this programme establishes nine dedicated hubs across the country.

These centres are partnerships between policing bodies and several leading universities, including institutions like Lancaster University, the University of Manchester (in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University), the University of Leeds, and the University of York, among others.

The core mission of the P-ACEs is twofold:

  • To mobilise, showcase, and make accessible to policing key insights, findings, and outputs from existing academic research.
  • To respond to the evidence needs, questions, and problems raised by police forces, and to work collaboratively with them to co-develop new research and knowledge exchange activities.

Essentially, they aim to create a more systematic and effective pipeline for translating robust academic research into practical, impactful policing strategies and solutions. The focus areas are broad yet critical, encompassing themes such as digital innovation in policing, enhancing community safety, improving operational resilience, and generally fostering an environment where evidence-based approaches can thrive.

 

The Driving Force: Why Now for Enhanced Academic-Police Collaboration?

The establishment of the P-ACEs isn't an isolated event; it's a response to a growing momentum and identified needs within UK law enforcement. Several factors underscore why this intensified focus on academic-police collaboration is happening now.

 

The Unmistakable Rise of Evidence-Based Approaches

There's an increasing recognition, both within policing and in wider public policy, that decisions informed by robust evidence lead to better outcomes. For policing, this means moving beyond traditional methods or anecdotal experience where appropriate, and instead leveraging data analytics, research findings, and scientific methodologies to inform strategies, allocate resources, and evaluate effectiveness. This shift promises not only improved crime reduction and prevention but also greater efficiency and accountability – critical in an era of tight budgets and high public expectation.

 

Tackling an Increasingly Complex Operational Landscape

Modern policing faces a barrage of intricate challenges. Cybercrime is evolving at a dizzying pace, investigations are becoming more digitally intensive, and societal issues like mental health crises place significant demand on police resources. Furthermore, maintaining public trust and legitimacy requires transparency and demonstrable fairness. Academic research can provide vital insights into understanding these complex problems, evaluating the effectiveness of different interventions, and developing innovative tools and techniques. As Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair, highlighted, this initiative aims to "ensure policing is shaped by the latest scientific expertise, driving innovation to keep communities safe."

 

Building on Strategic Foundations and Identified Needs

The P-ACEs initiative aligns directly with recent strategic directives. The NPCC's 2023 Science and Technology Strategy, for instance, pointed to underinvestment in research and development as a barrier to modernising policing. More recently, the independent Policing Productivity Review reported in 2024 that wider adoption of tested science and technology capabilities could free up an estimated 15 million hours of police time annually, potentially worth £370 million. The P-ACEs aim to provide a more nationally coordinated approach to fostering such innovation, learning from previous regional efforts and ensuring that successful, evidence-based practices can be scaled more effectively across all 43 forces in England and Wales.

 

Potential Impacts and Future Outlook for UK Police Performance

The ambition behind the P-ACEs is significant, and their potential to influence UK police performance is multifaceted. If successful, these centres could catalyse tangible improvements across various aspects of law enforcement.

 

Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness

One of the most anticipated outcomes is a boost in operational efficiency. By grounding tactics and strategies in evidence, forces can better direct their resources where they will have the most impact.

  • Smarter Resource Allocation: Research can help identify crime hotspots with greater accuracy, understand the drivers of demand, and optimise officer deployment.
  • Streamlining Processes: The challenge of digital evidence is a prime example. With a reported backlog of around 25,000 devices awaiting examination, research into faster, more effective digital forensics techniques – a likely focus for some P-ACEs – could be
  • Improved Training and Skill Development: The centres will also support policing in developing new tools and techniques and improving training, ensuring officers are equipped with the latest

 

Advancing Investigative Capabilities and Crime Prevention

The collaboration between academics and police professionals is expected to drive innovation in how crimes are investigated and prevented.

  • Sophisticated Crime Analysis: Deeper understanding of crime patterns, offender behaviour, and the effectiveness of different investigative methods can lead to higher detection rates and more successful prosecutions.
  • Proactive Prevention Strategies: Evidence-based approaches are crucial for developing and implementing effective crime prevention programmes, targeting underlying causes and vulnerable groups.
  • Tackling Emerging Threats: P-ACEs can become hubs for research into new and evolving crime types, such as complex fraud, online exploitation, and the misuse of AI, helping forces stay ahead of the curve.

Professor Paul Taylor, the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, noted that "Academia and policing have a long history of collaborative working... The P-ACEs will fortify this connection, providing a focal point for research and knowledge exchange."

 

Strengthening Public Trust and Legitimacy

Policing that is seen to be fair, effective, and accountable is fundamental to public trust. Evidence-based practices can contribute significantly to this.

  • Transparency and Justification: Basing decisions on evidence makes them more transparent and justifiable to the public and oversight bodies.
  • Ethical Innovation: As policing explores new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the P-ACEs can play a role in researching ethical implications and ensuring that innovations are deployed responsibly, a point emphasised by community advocates.
  • Reducing Disproportionality: Rigorous research can help identify and address issues of bias or disproportionality in policing practices, leading to fairer outcomes for all

 

Wider Economic and Societal Benefits

The impact of improved policing extends beyond crime statistics. The NPCC has pointed to research suggesting that each £1 invested in policing technology (often informed by research) can yield around £4.17 in economic benefits through crime reduction. Safer communities foster economic activity and reduce the wider societal costs associated with crime.

 

 

Navigating the Path Ahead: Considerations and Perspectives

While the P-ACEs hold considerable promise, their journey to unlocking widespread improvements in police performance will involve navigating certain challenges and embracing key principles.

 

The Crucial Leap from Research to Widespread Practice

A persistent challenge is translating academic findings into tangible changes in frontline policing across numerous individual forces. The fragmented nature of policing in England and Wales (the "43-force model") can make consistent, nationwide implementation of new practices difficult. The P-ACEs will need to focus on practical application and develop effective mechanisms for knowledge dissemination and adoption if they are to overcome this.

 

The Power of Genuine Collaboration

The success of this initiative hinges on genuine, sustained collaboration. It requires academics to understand the operational realities and pressing needs of policing, and for police forces to be open to new ideas and willing to engage with research processes. As Stian Westlake, Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UKRI, stated, "By bringing experts in policing practice together with social scientists and data scientists across the country, the centres will provide knowledge and insights to drive service improvement."

 

Prioritising Ethical Considerations and Community Voice

As P-ACEs drive innovation, particularly in technology and data analytics, maintaining a strong ethical compass and engaging with community perspectives will be paramount. Ensuring that new methods are fair, unbiased, and used in a way that respects individual rights is crucial for maintaining public confidence.

 

A New Chapter for Evidence-Led Policing?

The launch of the nine Policing Academic Centres of Excellence marks a clear and substantial investment in the future of UK law enforcement. It signals a reinforced commitment to the principles of evidence-based policing, aiming to foster a culture where research and data are integral to decision-making at all levels.

While the path to transforming research insights into consistent, nationwide improvements in police performance will undoubtedly have its complexities, the P-ACEs represent a structured and strategic effort to achieve precisely that. These centres offer a new and valuable resource, a potential catalyst for innovation, and a partner in tackling the multifaceted challenges of modern policing. The coming years will be crucial in observing how these hubs of expertise contribute to a more effective, efficient, and trusted police service.

To delve deeper into how innovation and strategic reviews are shaping modern policing, explore more insights on our blog.

 

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James Jeram

James Jeram

James Jeram joined Peel Solutions in 2023 to establish and lead its professional services and consultancy division. With over eight years of experience supporting UK law enforcement, central government, and the wider public sector, James brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to driving positive change across these vital industries. His dedication to maintaining strong human connections whilst delivering innovative solutions stems from his extensive experience in the sector and understanding of what truly makes a difference in law enforcement support services.