Strengthening partnerships through research and innovation 

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that our approach to policing is informed by evidence, innovation, and collaboration.  

Last Friday’s visit to the University of Bath provided a valuable opportunity to see first-hand how academic research is shaping the future of policing and community safety, while also strengthening partnerships that help us respond to the complex challenges facing our communities. 

The University of Bath is home to one of nine Policing Academic Centres of Excellence (P-ACE) across the UK—and the only one in the South-West.  

Co-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, these centres play a vital role in bridging the gap between academic research and frontline policing. 

During the visit, I toured the Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour, where research focuses on digital data, online safety, and tackling online harms—issues that increasingly shape modern policing. I also learned about the Rephrain Safer Streets project, which works closely with police forces to strengthen place-based prevention strategies for anti-social behaviour and violence.  

Another area of interest was an investigative study into the prevalence of vapes spiked with synthetic drugs such as ‘spice’, a growing concern for both public health and policing. 

Meeting some PhD students was another highlight. Their work spans a range of critical issues, including: 

• The complex interplay between human behaviour and digital technology in the context of intimate partner violence. 

• Digital identity and privacy-preserving behaviours, exploring how individuals manage their online presence and the implications for safety and policing. 

• The balance between privacy and security in parenting environments, examining how families navigate digital safety while protecting personal privacy. 

Beyond its research excellence, the University of Bath—recognised as a University of Sanctuary—demonstrates a strong commitment to student safety and community engagement. It operates an in-house security team, runs an ambulance service, and provides a safe room in the city centre. These initiatives, alongside close working with the Students’ Union and local partners, highlight how the University supports students while fostering positive relationships with the wider Bath community. 

The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion on student-community partnerships, focusing on how to strengthen relationships between students and long-term residents and ensure safety both on campus and across the city.  

The shared commitment to collaboration and collective responsibility was encouraging. 

This visit reinforced the importance of collaboration between policing and academia in developing innovative, evidence-led solutions to build safer, secure communities for everyone.