The Criminalisation Of Curiosity? Predictive Policing And Young People

• Published date: 01 October 2021
• Subject Matter: Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment, Criminal Law, Technology, Social Media, Crime, New Technology
• Law Firm: BCL Solicitors LLP
• Author: Ms Suzanne Gallagher

Is crime prevention becoming crime prediction? Suzanne Gallagher examines some recent developments in the application of predictive policing technology and questions the impact this may have on the next generation.

Data Driven Policing - NCA approach

Using a computer to predict criminal behaviour sounds like the stuff of science fiction. Yet the reality is that the police are already using algorithmic technology to identify and deter the offenders of tomorrow. To date, there has been no systematic review of these efforts to forecast crime. We are incidentally learning about this through research projects, freedom of information requests and parliamentary committee work. A recent report has provided valuable insight into how the National Crime Agency (NCA) is adopting these technologies in a cybercrime context, with some interesting case study examples.

Through the Cyber Choices programme, the NCA is identifying 'at-risk' young people. Individuals are selected based on online activity which indicates a potential interest in cybercrime forums or the purchase of cybercrime tools. Using a set of risk characteristics, the NCA then targets these young people before they engage in serious illegal activity. Once identified, NCA officers visit these young people to discuss their behaviour with them and with their parents.

Data gleaned by this programme is also utilised in a complementary 'influencer operations' project, in which young people who have googled cybercrime services receive targeted google advertisements, informing them that these services are illegal and that they face NCA action if they purchase them. Those receiving these google advertisement include adolescents as young as 14. The NCA also linked these advertisements to hashtags for major gaming conventions.

Data Driven Policing - Metropolitan Police Approach

This is not the first time UK law enforcement agencies have used data driven technology to forecast crime involving young people. The Metropolitan Police (MPS) maintains a Gang Violence Matrix, a system that ranks individuals on a scale using data based on arrests, convictions and intelligence. If an individual meets the Matrix threshold for inclusion, they become a gang 'nominal' and are added. The MPS identify not only perpetrators of gang-related crime, but also its victims. The rationale for including victims on the Matrix is to ensure they receive the support and safeguarding needed to prevent further victimisation, and to divert them away...