About smarter practice

We visit forces to learn about local practice, interventions and activity. We write reports to share this knowledge with other forces. Our reports are known as smarter practice.

The aim of smarter practice is to:

• share learning
• enable forces to implement practices that have addressed crime challenges in other areas

How smarter practice examples are developed

1. An activity or policing intervention is tried in a force.
2. The activity is reviewed jointly by experienced practitioners from the College of Policing, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
3. If the activity is considered suitable for further testing, it's written up in a report that follows a set format – known as smarter practice.
4. Smarter practice examples are published on our website to share with other forces for consideration.

Our practice bank also includes examples of force activity that have not been reviewed as smarter practice.

Recently published examples

• Project Vigilant – Thames Valley Police
• Safety of women at night – Exeter's Community Safety Partnership
• Begging resources guidance – Surrey Police
• Railway Guardian – British Transport Police
• Teachable moments focused deterrence car – West Yorkshire Police