Professor of Criminology to lead the way on business crime reduction.
By City Press Office (City Press Office), Published
Emmeline Taylor, Professor of Criminology at City, University of London has been appointed as Academic Advisor to the Strategic Coordinating Board for Business Crime (SCBBC).
The SCBBC’s main task is to address the high volume of violent and acquisitive crime experienced by the business community. Chaired by Assistant Commissioner Paul Betts, the National Police Chief Council’s lead for business crime, the body brings together senior representatives from the Home Office and the police, as well as representatives from the security and retail sectors with the aim of tackling prolific and organised crime.
The SCBBC will help support and coordinate the national work taking place to prevent business crime, strengthen partnerships, appropriately share intelligence, update legislation where necessary and pursue offenders.
Professor Taylor, whose research at City focuses on business crime, particularly in the retail sector, said she was delighted to have been approached by the board.
“I am honoured to be working alongside some of the best minds in the country on this important topic”, she said.
At a time when the police’s handling of business and serious crimes is under increasing scrutiny, Professor Taylor said accurate data collection was vital for an appropriate response on the part of law enforcement.
“Confidence in law enforcement is low, but it is difficult for the criminal justice system to respond adequately if the true picture is not known. Much more needs to be done to streamline reporting,” she said.
“Organised criminal gangs are targeting businesses. The more extreme cases involve modern day slavery and the exploitation of vulnerable adults and children forced into stealing. This large-scale theft is then funding other serious illicit activities.”
“It is important to have accurate and timely data so that law enforcement can join the dots and respond appropriately.”
Superintendent Patrick Holdaway, lead for the National Business Crime Centre, City of London Police, added that Professor Taylor’s expertise was particularly welcome on the board.
"We’re really pleased that Professor Taylor has agreed to join the board,” he said.
"Professor Taylor’s knowledge and research in this area made her the obvious choice. We need to ensure the board has the right support and professional challenge it needs to meet its objectives through the principles of prevention, intelligence and partnerships."
Professor Taylor’s appointment is in addition to several other roles she already holds in the area, including Chair of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) National Standards Board, member of the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) and expert panellist for the Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey.
Professor Taylor currently teaches on the BSc Criminology course at City, which provides students with a thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Read more about the BSc Criminology programme at City.
Find out about the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) conference, taking place at City in July. The registration form is password protected as priority is being given to an invited audience. If you’d like to register and haven’t received an invite, please email the events team and they'll be in touch.
Written by Chiara Petrini Rossi, Communications Assistant at City, University of London.
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