Research has long established the under representation of women police. A historical focus on discrimination and harassment in an overtly masculinised police environment has dominated discussion, with commentators failing to take into account the most feminine of all life experiences – procreation. This research critically assesses the impact of pregnancy and maternity upon the operational policing experience. A gendered theoretical conceptual framework informs a qualitative research strategy comprising in-depth interviews with serving women constables and senior officers. Are female officers’ experiences of deployment, training and career progression negatively affected by pregnancy, maternity and care responsibilities? An acceptance that police organisations are not gender neutral permits a feminist, contextualised approach, which seeks to establish the reality of managing pregnant and newly maternal women in policing. Findings suggest that female officers’ deployment and progression are significantly impacted by pregnancy and maternity. Police career structures remain dictated by dominant masculine values, which reinforce development structures built on the male life cycle. A risk averse culture to managing pregnancy was apparent. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and child-friendly flexible working necessitate multiple individual role moves, especially for uniformed officers. This restricts the use and development of women’s policing skills. A masculinised police culture appears resistant to family-friendly policies, despite evidence that such policies can be managed successfully in practice. Conceptions of operational career success are heavily gendered. The male body, which does not bear the responsibility of reproduction, remains the standard template. It is argued that it is not being a woman but being a mother that restricts the progression of women police. Progression pathways must acknowledge the female life cycle and adapt practices and policies to welcome this important difference if police services are to succeed in increasing female representation across all levels of their organisations.

There is a great deal of research that aims to explain youth offending in the UK and in other Western countries. However, this is a new area of research in Vietnamese academic literature in criminology. There is very little academic research that aims to explain the factors behind the public and political perception of an increase in youth offending and the increase in prosecutions for some types of offence (physical assault and theft) in Vietnam in recent years. Both the two existing Vietnamese studies based on the collection of primary data are relatively small scale and centre on interviews with young people. One study shows that young people tend to explain their behaviour through external influences, particularly from their peer group. The other study highlights a number of issues, including peer group, community influences and family problems. Most of the current Vietnamese research on youth offending is based on the analysis of official data which is used to illustrate patterns of youth offending, rather than explaining the causes. The overall aims of the research are to explore the relative importance of different factors associated with youth offending in Vietnam, and thus suggest the implications for intervention. The study is based on a survey of the four national educational institutions where young people (aged 12-18) are incarcerated, if they have committed less serious crimes (such as theft) or are aged 12-14 and have committed a more serious crime (such as robbery or murder). The questionnaire survey included only the young people on educational programmes (N=2,009) and did not include those on vocational programmes (N=777) for practical reasons. The questionnaire survey was followed up by interviews with young people (N=98) and staff (N=34) across the four institutions. The questionnaire data was subjected to different types of analysis: descriptive statistics, principal components analysis and multi-level modelling. Interview data was analysed through content and thematic analysis. The different types of data and analysis in this study revealed some differences in emphasis in the relative importance of different factors in the lives of young people and youth offending in the Vietnamese context. For example, interviews with young people focussed more on peer group and individual factors and interviews with staff focussed strongly on family issues. Analysis of the questionnaire survey data revealed the importance of on-line gaming in relation to theft, along with family based issues such as alcohol misuse. Overall, looking across the data and types of analysis, family circumstances (such as poor parenting, homelessness, children running away from home, and alcohol misuse) were the most important in this study. Family circumstances were followed by the accumulation of external factors (such as gaming and peer group influences) and individual characteristics (such as low self-control). Of particular note is the issue of on-line gaming in relation to the association with theft. At a regional level, the multilevel models showed significant differences between provinces in predicting different types of offence: young people originating from Phu Yen are less likely to commit theft, while those from Phu Yen and Tay Ninh are found to be more likely to be charged for public order offences. Serious crime is more likely to happen in Ho Chi Minh City. More broadly, the study illustrates the consequences of rapid social change in Vietnam; and, the impacts of industrialization, modernization and globalization processes.

Gang violence in London is an increasing problem that has gained momentum in the last two decades. Finding workable solutions to reduce gang violence or interventions in the current economic climate is a constant challenge for practitioners. This study examines the use of mediation as a tactic for reducing gang violence. Through data analysis, outcomes of this intervention are explored. The initial research conducted shows that there is a significant correlation between reductions in violent reoffending between those referred for mediation and those not referred. Further analysis of 17 semi-structured interviews conducted in the UK suggests that individuals do not have to engage in the mediation process for it to have an effect. Very often, the fact that an individual has been referred will be sufficient to deter continued violent offending. This research suggests that the implications for practice requires a unified co-ordinated response to violence that includes the proactive provision of joined up activity from the authorities, such as education, housing, health, social services and employment agencies. Their services need to be adequately funded, properly resourced and intelligently delivered in order to provide the necessary support required to end the cycle of gang related violence and offending generally.

This Doctorate research study has aimed to critically review the concepts of risk and risk assessment processes of sex offenders within the Probation Service. It has sought to critically examine the uses and application of the risk assessment tools of the Offender Assessment System and Risk Matrix 2000 in relation to sexual offenders, and examine practitioners opinions and perspectives regarding the effectiveness of these tools for aiding in understanding and managing the risks posed of sexual offenders. It has also aimed to critically examine the level of practitioners experience and training as well as the support available to Probation staff and how this impacts upon their use of clinical and actuarial approaches to assessing the risk that sex offenders pose. Lastly it has aimed to critically discuss these aims in light of the changes that have taken place due to the Transforming Rehabilitation policies implemented by the coalition Government. The research has been undertaken using qualitative methods of semi structure interviews and quantitative data in the form of questionnaires. This Doctorate research has identified there is an increasing trend to focusing on actuarial risk assessments, and these being used to determine intervention / allocation of resources. The clinical assessment skills of Probation Officers can be very valuable, and further attention needs to be given in terms of ensuring that these are developed. This research has identified that there was a lack of formal training available, and there was not consistent levels of support available to Probation Officers. This Doctorate has contributed to academic knowledge, and has provided a frontline perspective on the risk assessment tools used by Probation Officers to assess the risk that sex offenders pose. It provided an investigation of the use of Offender Assessment System and Risk Matrix 2000 as part of the risk assessment process and there has been limited coverage of this previously within academic circles. It was written at a time when the Probation Service was undergoing radical reforms, and provides a critical examination of how these reforms have impacted on the assessment and management of sex offenders.

This study examines the supervision and management of sex offenders in denial through small sample studies of the probation service in England and Wales. Denial in sex offenders is complex and can create significant difficulty for probation officers holding the responsibility for managing the cases. This has been highlighted as problematic, with deficiencies in the training and support of probation officers considered to be a major factor (HMIP, 2010; Ministry of Justice, 2010). The study discusses the issues which can arise for probation officers and evaluates existing approaches to probation supervision of sexual offenders in denial. The literature review examines the concept of the risk society (Beck, 1992, Giddens, 1990,1991) and the historical development of the probation service within this context. The requirement to control and manage risk has had a central role in shaping the contemporary probation service, and underpins risk assessment and management decisions. Additionally, the concept of denial is explored using sources from sociology and psychology. This leads to a discussion of ways of approaching the issue of denial with sexual offenders. The primary research was conducted in the period 2011-2013 with both pre- and post-qualified officers. It is comprised of two studies of pre-qualified officers, which identify issues for those who have been unable to access experience in working with sexual offending and those in denial. Two studies of qualified officers indicate that there is disparity in confidence, with those trained in a social work ethos possessing more assurance than probation officers who qualified more recently in risk-focussed programmes. The study additionally examines resources such as programmes and methods of one-to-one working. It is the contention of the author that greater dissemination of these resources will assist probation officers in their work with deniers.

The ten-refereed papers underlying this thesis primarily focus on the measurement of fraud and corruption, counter fraud and corruption strategies and the policing of fraud and corruption. The refereed papers deal with these issues in different contexts e.g. health care, sport, the FTSE 100 etc and illustrate that while different sectors there are common themes and strategies needed to prevent and reduce fraud and corruption. All of the publications in this thesis therefore make suggestions – some implicit and some explicit – on how to tackle fraud and corruption and are thus not only an academic contribution to knowledge, but also have practical relevance too. This contribution is based on actual research, rather than literature based work, and therefore includes a variety of research methods and the publication of primary research. Furthermore, many of these publications are international in their approach drawing on literature from around the world. Therefore, to ‘set the scene’ the contemporary relevance and importance of the research is explained with a focus on the contribution to knowledge these papers produced. This is followed by the contribution these papers have made in exposing the limitations of present policing of fraud and corruption strategies. This is then supported by the usefulness of fraud risk measurement exercises, and then the development of an anti-fraud culture, which is a common theme in the majority of these papers. In the conclusion all the core elements of these papers are combined to illustrate the contribution this research has made to current academic debate regarding fraud and corruption.

This research explores the complexities of young peoples’ personal understanding and experiences of violence and safety in public spaces. The research itself is constructed through establishing the interrelationships between the theories, practices and policies of safety and young people. Working through these links has facilitated an original framework for understanding by accessing data using young people’s own experiences and views. There is a significant body of published research exploring young people as offenders but a real absence, especially in the UK literature, of young people as potential victims of violent crime. In particular children’s own conceptualisations of risk, safety and victimisation are little understood. This research explores young people’s thoughts on exactly this. The empirical research draws upon qualitative data derived from semi-structured interviews with 21 young people aged from 10 to 18 years old taken from a socioeconomically mixed area of London. The findings show that irrespective of age, the young people have constructed a very real understanding of safety and risk. Children, even at a young age have developed a myriad of personal safety strategies that involve awareness of teenagers, locations and individuals who they perceive as guardians. However, these strategies emerge without meaningful reference to police or government policy and are largely embedded in a world far away from those in reach of official community safety agents. This research suggests that there needs to be a move away from portraying young people as ‘folk devils’ who sit at the heart of many ‘moral panics’ towards involving them as significant actors and contributors to social policy making by giving them a voice on the political stage.

Facilitated by the effects of globalisation, crime in the 21st century is increasingly transnational in nature and presents a significant challenge to a law enforcement apparatus which is traditionally geared towards operating within the confines of the nation-state. Crime has transcended state borders and has prompted an expansion of international law enforcement cooperation in an attempt to counter cross-border criminality. In doing so, traditional law enforcement actors have increasing collaborated with non-state, and non-law enforcement, bodies. International cooperation and multi-agency working has been especially enacted to combat crimes against children. This thesis aims to examine the dynamics of multi-agency arrangements in different cultural and legal contexts with a view to assessing how different cultural and organisation factors affect multi-agency cooperation. This will be done with particular reference to those multi-agency arrangements that have a child protection focus, which operate in, and across multiple jurisdictions and are composed of a diverse range of state and non-state actors. In order to achieve this aim, the thesis will begin with an analysis of globalisation in order to identify specific elements which have aided transnational criminality but also the response to this criminality has been found in the multi-agency arrangement. To further this point, various methods and models of multi-agency working will be examined, each with their distinctive benefits and challenges. A set of key factors and requirements of multi-agency working – both in a single country context and internationally – will be presented to the reader. These factors will then be identified and analysed in series of international multi-agency arrangements with a child protection remit. This sets the scene for a case study analysis of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the International Child Protection Network – two multi-agency arrangements established to combat crimes against children. Through these case studies, the complexity and challenge of international working will be identified to the reader. However, the thesis will demonstrate that, if actors are willing to work together to overcome these challenges, multi-agency arrangements can be effective in compensating for the limitations of state-orientated policing and can bring significant operational benefits and positive outcomes.

Insurance fraud is noted as one of the most significant challenges to the financial stability of the insurance market (Wells, 2011; Yusuf & Babalola, 2009). The main purpose of this study is to explore and access the magnitude of the issues in a company setting and gather responses from the general environment regarding this threat. Due to the Malaysian cultural set up, there are gaps of research in this topic as fraud issues are considered sensitive and taboo. Although some researchers have shed some light on issues pertaining to fraud in Malaysia, however these studies have focused purely on mitigation and countering in the economic dimension without making relationship with authorities concerned. This study looks to support the idea of Malaysia‘s current Prime Minister, Dato Mohd Najib Tun Razak, which are encompassed in the 'Economic Transformation Plan'. During the start of his Prime Minister role he urged all sectors to be more transparent and responsive. Besides, the pattern of an economic downturn for a second wave in 2008 demanded the insurers to offer fewer products or services, and at the same time be more stringent on the policy inclusions (Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), 2010). This research has examined a broad volume of articles from specific areas of fraud including cases of insurance fraud. This is done to grasp the fraud control strategies and the current trends in Malaysia. This research applies multiple research methods that comprise of interviews', observations and document inspections within the selected companies. This to facilitate the coherence and collaborative work of the authorities selected in the case study which are crucial in evaluating the process of countering fraud. In order to ensure the success of this study, it utilized and adopted the CIPFA Red Book 2 as the main benchmark to gauge the initiatives of countering fraud in the Malaysian insurance industry. The findings of the study revealed that there are two companies integrating good initiatives which enable them to avoid insurance fraud cases to a greater extent. However, one of the companies did not address the issues entirely as the operation of the working environment is atypical. All professionals agreed upon that this task, countering fraud and corruption, demands a certain set of skills. By that, this advocates the idea that countering fraud initiatives are not for a single performer imposition only. On the contrasting side, due to the hierarchy and supremacy in Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) plays a vital role in the insurance market. However, they are still unwilling in making these concerns part of the national agenda since many companies have only recorded a satisfactory level in integrating the functions of combating fraud. However, specialists have urged some officials and relevant authorities, insurers and professionals in making precise arrangements to embark on the issues in an appropriate process.

This thesis conducts a preliminary investigation into ASB cultural knowledge strength of a police force and a local authority within the same jurisdiction. ASB cultural knowledge strength is explored through ASB interpretation, themes and experiences of frontline officers and officers sitting at strategic layers within each organisation. With Police forces and Local Authorities receiving high profile criticism of ASB performance, organisational research suggests that a strong culture aligned to organisational mission and values fosters organisational effectiveness and superior operational performance. The universality of ASB culture and knowledge is examined in order to gain understanding of police and local authority organisational ASB effectiveness. Using the newly developed reversed SACKDEN cultural knowledge framework, 15 semi structured interviews involving police and council officers at four equivalent strategic layers and 72 questionnaires across relevant frontline police and council officers were completed. The focus was to examine ASB cultural knowledge strength at four different organisational levels and across frontline officers. Through thematic analysis, strength was assessed by universality of response and density of effectiveness identifiers across questions designed around four cultural knowledge sets. The study identified that despite a high degree of universality in organisational and personal value placed on ASB, there was a high degree of uniqueness overall in responses through strategic layers and across frontline officers of both police and local authority. This uniqueness in response to cultural knowledge questions indicates weak ASB cultural knowledge strength within the police and local authority examined in the study. The effect of low ASB symbolic referencing is seen through differences between both organisations, across strategic layers and the frontline, contributing to ASB cultural knowledge weakness. Low ASB symbolic referencing creates conditions for ASB polarisation theory. This study has further research implications regarding the importance of high ASB symbolic referencing and its effect on ASB operational performance.