Universities’ Police Science Institute

Two policemen stood talking in a city centre.

The Universities' Police Science Institute was established in 2007 in partnership with South Wales Police to develop the research evidence base for the art, craft and science of policing.

We have secured in excess of £5 million in funding from policing and governmental agencies. By combining academic reputation with a strong focus upon policy and practice, we have achieved international acclaim for our innovations in designing, developing and accessing new solutions to policing problems.

Predicting, preventing and policing crime harms in communities that are increasingly diverse and complex requires more sophisticated acquisition and adaptation to evidence from police and partner agencies. Our research activity covers finding and solving problems across the modern policing environment.

Our research themes

Counter-terrorism policing

Identifying how police can best manage the impacts of public-interest and terrorist events upon public behaviours using social media and big data technologies across a variety of major policing operations

Policing vulnerability and high harm crimes

Our research on complex and high harm crimes has created new evidence of what works locally in targeting vulnerability and areas of high demand and need.

Policing partnerships

Effective policing requires strong bonds with neighbourhoods and the right partnership arrangements to identify community priorities and collaborate to respond, reduce and prevent crime.

Digital policing

Understanding how digital behavioural analytics and policing technologies shape police responses to new risks and opportunities.

Embedding evidence and knowledge-based practice into policing

We are committed to developing the knowledge, skills and experience required to develop critical thinking and evidence-based practice amongst police and other non-academic partners through the Wales Safeguarding Repository, Policing Futures, collaborative studentships, and placement opportunities.

Research highlights

Improving community policing

Pioneering research by the Universities' Police Science Institute has made police more effective at understanding and responding to crime and disorder.

Improving the response to victims of violence

Our research has contributed to significant changes in the services afforded to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Evaluating the Use of Automated Facial Recognition Technology in Major Policing Operations

First independent academic evaluation.

Improving the police response to domestic violence and abuse in the UK and EU

Our research helped break cycles of abuse by creating tools for more effective frontline policing.

Image of the backs of two police officers in uniform

London Borough of Sutton: A longitudinal study of neighbourhood security

This year marks 12 years since UPSI began working in partnership with the London Borough of Sutton to help understand the security perceptions of local people.

image of a computer screen with a finger pointing at the text on it

Hacking through the issues for 21st century policing

Working with security practitioners to foster innovative conceptual and methodological approaches to shape policy and practice development.

Policing Futures

Our Policing Futures Masterclass Series is a unique collaboration between the Universities’ Police Science Institute and South Wales Police. Policing Futures is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and experience required to develop critical thinking and evidence-based practice among those considered future leaders within the force.

Participants in the Masterclass will focus on the challenges in policing in-line with the force’s strategic vision, investigate evidence-based interventions and develop research projects to creative innovative solutions.