Law enforcement information sharing for the 21st Century

Intelligence-led policing (ILP) uses intelligence to inform decision-making and direct law enforcement activities, and emerged in the 1990’s as agencies realised a more targeted approach was needed to tackle offenders and reduce crime (Ratcliffe, 2003; Tilley, 2008). However, the criminal landscape was transformed in the 21st Century as globalisation (Caparini, 2022) and technological advances have allowed offenders, commodities and information to travel physically and virtually with greater ease (Deloitte, 2018). Crime has become increasingly transnational.

It remains difficult for offenders to commit crime without leaving physical and electronic traces. These traces can be captured in various ways, including diverse camera systems (e.g., CCTV, ANPR), banking transactions, and communication mediums (e.g., texts, social media). However, capturing relevant and timely information is no easy task when it’s held in different regions and countries, by different agencies, in different formats and on different systems. Multiple public inquiries worldwide have criticised law enforcement communication and intelligence failures, whereby critical information has not been communicated with partner agencies (or in a timely manner) and has resulted in the failure to prevent or effectively respond to an incident (i.e., Bichard, 2004; Manchester Arena Inquiry, 2022; Peters, 2023). Globally, billions of pounds have been spent in response (e.g., developing new agencies or technology; National Audit Office, 2021; Taylor & Russell, 2012), yet the problem persists.