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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
The collaboration between academics and police professionals is expected to drive innovation in how crimes are investigated and prevented.
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."
Policing that is seen to be fair, effective, and accountable is fundamental to public trust. Evidence-based practices can contribute significantly to this.
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.
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.
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 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."
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.
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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