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Commentaries on Crime and Justice

Police Performance Must Be Measured with Purpose
The challenges and tensions surrounding police performance measurement underscore the need for a unified and purpose-driven approach. By aligning goals and clearly defining responsibilities, law enforcement agencies can overcome misalignments and foster meaningful organizational learning.
18 Jun 2024
Movie Money in the EU: A Deception Circulating in Plain Sight
Altered design banknotes—often referred to as movie money or prop copies—have a similar shape and color to real euros. Without close inspection, they can easily be accepted as genuine money. They include disclaimers but they are still illegal.
16 Jan 2024
Political Manifestos Should Do Better Than “Legalise It”
After years of political deadlock, a new era for drug policy in the Netherlands seems to be on the horizon. At least two factors are increasing politicians' appetite for change: increased awareness of the problems of drug-related organized crime in the Netherlands, and Dutch drug policy no longer being ahead of the curve.
21 Nov 2023
Cannabis Legalization in Europe: Planning Ahead
Since 2012, multiple jurisdictions have changed their laws to legalize the production, possession, and use of cannabis for nonmedical purposes. While most of these changes took place in the Americas, there are signs that the European legal landscape might be changing, too.
09 Nov 2022
Green Light for Cannabis Legalisation in Germany Is Not a Clear-Cut Decision
The new “traffic light” coalition in Germany recently agreed to regulate the sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops. International experience has shown that great care is needed in how cannabis policy is shaped.
06 Dec 2021
Australia Contained COVID-19 Early On. Can It Do the Same with Synthetic Opioids?
Australia is at risk of a fentanyl problem, but it is better prepared than North America. If the country can make the same kind of concerted effort it did to keep COVID-19 at bay, that could save thousands of lives.
30 Apr 2021
How Better Support Can Be Provided to Ex–Service Personnel in the Criminal Justice System
Former armed forces personnel make up the UK's largest group of male prisoners by occupation. What can police and government do to provide targeted support in the criminal justice system to those from a military background?
30 Nov 2020
Measures to Help Domestic Abuse Victims During COVID-19 Are Welcome but Not Enough
One of the most worrying and consistent trends during the COVID-19 lockdown is an increase in domestic violence. Governments are taking different approaches in how they act to stop the violence and help victims to be heard during the lockdown. Securing adequate resources for support services is vital.
12 May 2020
What Strategies Are the Best Defence Against Antisocial Behaviour at Football Events?
Football-related violence is not going away. It is therefore more important than ever that police and football authorities have evidence on what strategies work and that they share best practices with each other.
19 Mar 2019
The Rules of the Game: Reducing Antisocial Behavior and Violence at Football Events
Violent behavior at football matches has garnered international media attention for decades even though the vast majority of matches pass without any significant violent incidents. Despite the widespread attention toward harmful behaviors, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of current practices targeting negative fan behavior.
14 Aug 2018
The Problem of Prosecuting International Jihadists
The International Criminal Court may be the most ideal institution to try accused terrorists. The court would take into account the legal status of terrorists, the nationalities of their victims, and the location of the crimes — while upholding the core values of Western democracies.
09 Mar 2018
Why the 2018 Winter Olympics Are the Perfect Storm for Cyberattacks
The Olympic Games could invite the most severe cyber threats to a major sporting event in recent years. The location of the Games and increased connectivity, both among the public and infrastructure, make them a prime target for cyberattacks.
12 Feb 2018
Siren Song: How Ambulance Data Could Help Police Forces in England and Wales
Ambulance data is a new form of intelligence which may have value for violence prevention or reduction activities. Police forces can use this data to help identify violent crime that goes unreported to police, and aid problem-solving activities to reduce and prevent violence.
29 Jan 2018
Bitcoin and the Dark Web: The New Terrorist Threat?
Bitcoin has become the prominent currency of the dark web, which is often used to buy illegal goods, such as weapons and drugs. Anecdotal evidence suggests terrorists are using cryptocurrency and the dark web, but further investigation is needed.
22 Jan 2018
The Perils of Setting Police Targets: First Time Entrants to the Youth Justice System
The police play a critical role in determining whether young people are either directed towards or diverted away from the justice system. Introducing policing targets can create perverse incentives and raises particular concerns because of the potential damaging effects that criminalization can have on young people.
18 Jan 2018
Is the EU Drugs Strategy Helping to Curb the Harm Caused by Drugs?
The EU Drugs Strategy takes a balanced approach to reduce drug demand, supply, and harm. All EU member states have a national drugs strategy, and most are aligned with the EU's. Having a coordinated voice on drug policy is valuable but is the strategy working?
09 Jan 2018
Autonomous Vehicles: Terrorist Threat or Security Opportunity?
Terrorist groups that track developments in technology could be considering using self-driving cars in place of suicide bombers or for ramming attacks. But autonomous vehicle capabilities offer a range of potential benefits to law enforcement and security operations, too.
03 Jan 2018