University of Huddersfield hosts round table on Serious and Organised Crime
The University of Huddersfield has hosted a round table event that brought together over 20 international and UK-based senior law enforcement and policy professionals. The event followed on from the highly successful National Police Chiefs Councils (NPCC) Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Local Conference, held on campus in April.
Co-chaired by Steve Jupp KPM, Chief Constable for the Ministry of Defence Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus and the former NPCC Lead for Serious and Organised Crime, and Professor John Synnott, Professor of Forensic and Investigative Psychology and Director of the University’s Professional Doctoral Academy, the event focused on the critical challenges in tackling serious and organised crime (SOC) and the development of strategic, operational solutions.
Local and international aspect to discussions
The round table was attended by key figures from local, regional, national and international law enforcement, including Assistant Chief Constables ACC Damien Miller (West Yorkshire Police), ACC Matt Boyle (Greater Manchester Police), and ACC Rowan Moore (North West Regional Organised Crime Unit). Also present were the Director and Deputy Director of the NPCC SOC Portfolio, John Bragaglia and Lis Knight, respectively, along with Detective Superintendent Andy Farrell, NPCC SOC Local Program Lead.
Alongside the UK-based law enforcement leaders, the round table also included distinguished international experts. Col. Abdullah Al-Harbi, Kuwaiti Police Attaché; Lt. Col. Khaled Alsuwaidi, Abu Dhabi Police Attaché; Dr. María José Garrido, Commander of the Civil Guard and Head of Area at the State Secretariat for Security, Ministry of the Interior, Spain; and Colm Fitzgerald, Detective Superintendent from An Garda Siochana’s National Criminal Intelligence Unit all shared their invaluable operational insights.
These experts collectively emphasised the importance of cross-border collaboration and aligning strategies across jurisdictions. Dr. Jasper Van Der Kemp, an academic expert from VU Amsterdam, contributed his research-driven perspective on transnational crime trends in the Netherlands, highlighting the European dimension of SOC challenges.
Reflecting on the event, Chief Constable Steve Jupp KPM said, “Chairing the round table event at the University of Huddersfield was extremely fitting, as good debate based on evidence and learning was at the heart of this highly beneficial discussion. The multi-national group of experienced law enforcement practitioners devised some effective solutions to some of today’s challenges in tackling serious and organised crime within communities. This work will help inform the national portfolio team in developing effective responses.”
The discussions were centred around three core themes:
• the future threats of SOC
• the current blind spots
• best practice in collaboration with international partners.
These insights generated from these confidential discussions will inform future operational strategies, ensuring that responses to SOC are both effective and efficient across multiple jurisdictions.
John Bragaglia NPCC SOC Portfolio Director noted that,“It was a pleasure to be part of such an informative round table discussion. Everyone in attendance was able to bring their own professional experience, knowledge and insight to bear on some of the most wicked SOC problems we face as a law enforcement community both in this country and internationally. We cannot and will not solve these challenges alone, that is why an event which brings together respected academics, law enforcement practitioners and valued partners is so important.
“I am hugely grateful to the team at the University of Huddersfield, and particularly Professor John Synnott, for hosting the event and creating such a conducive environment for all of the delegates in attendance.”
Reflecting on the prestigious nature of such an event, Professor John Synnott said, “I initiated the round table event to leverage the extensive network of senior colleagues present at the National SOC Local Conference. The unparalleled operational expertise and diverse perspectives shared by the participants were invaluable. Drawing on this network, it is now my responsibility to distil these insights and ensure they are shared with the right areas of the state, transforming them into a comprehensive White Paper that will guide and inform future strategies in tackling serious and organised crime.”
Round table insights to contribute to White Paper
The insights and strategic direction generated at the round table are expected to play a pivotal role in guiding the response to the evolving threat posed by serious and organised crime. This collaborative effort will be captured in a White Paper to be submitted to the Home Office.
The Round Table event took place during the wider SOC Local Conference, which saw participation from over 90 organisations and 30 police forces. The outcomes of this event will continue to inform and enhance efforts in the fight against serious and organised crime at a local, national, and international level.
This activity forms part of a broader body of work under the banner of the newly established Professional Doctoral Academy at the University of Huddersfield, which houses over 20 PhD candidates from both national and international law enforcement.