Police and scientists to work together at new centres

Nine new research centres are being created across the UK, including one at the University of Bath

About £4.5m is being invested in nine new research centres to improve policing through data-driven training

The Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (P-ACE) will provide police with data evidence that will be used to "make the justice system work better", by supporting officers with adopting new techniques and boost learnings.

National Police Chief's Council is launching nine P-ACEs across the UK, including at the University of Bath.

Dr Katie Maras, from the department of psychology at the university, said: "Our aim is to develop creative, evidence-based approaches to addressing some of the key challenges in policing."

The UK Research and Innovation, a national government funding agency, has invested £4.5m into the project.

Dr Olivia Brown, deputy director of the Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour, said: "The P-ACE at Bath provides the opportunity to build better and stronger relationships across UK policing, addressing complex, enduring challenges such as countering violent extremism and safeguarding vulnerable populations."

She added that they will translate research into operational tools and training.

Stian Westlake, executive chair of the economic and social research council, said the centres will "forge closer relationships between police forces and researchers, providing the police with data and evidence to make the justice system work better".

"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," he added.

The following universities have been selected to be P-ACEs:

• Edinburgh Napier University, with Glasgow Caledonian University, University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh

• Lancaster University

• Manchester Metropolitan University, with University of Manchester

• Nottingham Trent University

• University College London

• University of Bath

• University of Birmingham, with Aston University and University of Leicester

• University of Leeds, with University of York

• University of Portsmouth