School of Social and Political Science

SPS researchers release new report on the rise of ‘influence policing’



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Ben Collier and James Stewart co-author report on 'influence policing'

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A new report by School of Social and Political Science researchers and colleagues says the use by police of targeted digital communications for crime prevention can have benefits but has risk of ‘serious harm and ethical breaches’.

The report from the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) studied the rise of ‘influence policing’ - the used by police of digital platforms, paid targeted advertising and social media influencers.

Studying new digital approaches to crime prevention
Researchers studied the Police Scotland strategic communications team, which is leading the use of targeted digital communications for crime prevention. The research team also conducted a separate study of the use of these ‘influence’ approaches across the UK using a new dataset from the Meta Ad Library.

The report makes a number of analytical contributions and recommendations including calling for regulation and greater transparency, including an open register of digital campaigns by public sector bodies with details of targeting approaches.

Dr Ben Collier and Dr James Stewart from the University of Edinburgh - both working in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies - are co-authors of the report with colleagues from Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Cambridge.

New tools for law enforcement - but new risks
Dr Collier, a lecturer in Digital Methods, said: “The tools of digital advertising and surveillance are giving law enforcement in the UK powerful and potentially risky new capacities to influence the public. While we have found many examples of positive and innovative practice, we have also found serious harm and ethical breaches in the wider spread of these practices in the UK. The same tools are being used by different bodies in radically different ways – where some are engaging directly with communities.”

The study was funded by SIPR Future of Policing grants.

Launching the report, the SIPR said: “Ongoing political, economic, and societal changes require the police service to adapt and respond to future challenges and maximise the benefits of future opportunities. Policing policies and practices will need to embrace innovation, and work collaboratively and sustainably.”

Parts of the report have also been published in The Observer, The Independent and Byline Times.

Read the full report here.