Demand management in police services [Ref 3.15]

Academic team: Dr Paul Walley, Matthew Adams (Senior Practioner Fellow)
Policing partners: South Yorkshire Police, PSNI and Gloucestershire Constabulary
Status: Complete

The Police Service in the UK has experienced similar financial pressures to other public services, at the same time as patterns of demand have changed considerable. Perceptions of demand and capacity imbalance have led to calls for more comprehensive assessment of demand and capacity within policing. All forces have to address ways of reducing demand, and a number of studies on demand management are underway with activity across a range of forces.

This project contributes to this evidence base by investigating how forces are addressing the apparent mismatch between demand and capacity through changes to policy and practice.

Outputs

TitleOutputs typeLead academicYear
An evaluation of demand management practices in UKFinal reportWalley, P2019
An evaluation of demand management practices in UKSummary reportWalley, P2019

News

Crime and Policing Act receives royal assent

The UK Government’s Crime and Policing Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, marking a significant development in the legislative response to crime and public safety.

The Act introduces a range of measures aimed at tackling retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, alongside stronger penalties for violence against women and girls. It also includes provisions to address cyber-enabled crime and knife crime.

1st May 2026