Matt Ashby
@mattashby.com
I help people use data to reduce crime. Associate Professor, Crime Science, UCL. Former police officer.
🌐: mattashby.com
🌐: mattashby.com
When asked what are the biggest issues facing them in their daily lives, only 5% of Britons mention crime or public safety.
Partly this is because crime is highly concentrated so disproportionately affects a few people. But it probably also illustrates why big police funding increases are unlikely.
Partly this is because crime is highly concentrated so disproportionately affects a few people. But it probably also illustrates why big police funding increases are unlikely.
We then stuck with open-ends but changed the question a little.
Most pollsters ask about issues facing the country.
When we ask about people's day-to-day lives, the change is starkly different.
Immigration is only mentioned in a tenth of results. A majority mentioned the Cost of Living.
Most pollsters ask about issues facing the country.
When we ask about people's day-to-day lives, the change is starkly different.
Immigration is only mentioned in a tenth of results. A majority mentioned the Cost of Living.
November 17, 2025 at 12:16 PM
When asked what are the biggest issues facing them in their daily lives, only 5% of Britons mention crime or public safety.
Partly this is because crime is highly concentrated so disproportionately affects a few people. But it probably also illustrates why big police funding increases are unlikely.
Partly this is because crime is highly concentrated so disproportionately affects a few people. But it probably also illustrates why big police funding increases are unlikely.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
What is the most profitable industry in the world, this side of the law? Not oil, not IT, not pharma.
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
November 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
What is the most profitable industry in the world, this side of the law? Not oil, not IT, not pharma.
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
It's *scientific publishing*.
We call this the Drain of Scientific Publishing.
Paper: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Background: doi.org/10.1162/qss_...
Thread @markhanson.fediscience.org.ap.brid.gy 👇
Useful example if you work on crime harms: the costs of the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack were big enough to impact national GDP figures.
Extraordinary day and historic for the wrong reasons - a cyber attack featured in the GDP figures
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Useful example if you work on crime harms: the costs of the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack were big enough to impact national GDP figures.
The government seemingly still hopes to publish the delayed police reform white paper at some point in the next five weeks (Parliament goes into recess for Christmas on 18 December).
The answer is likely to be in the delayed Police Reform White Paper - minister Sarah Jones said would come out "this year" but gave no specific timing
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
For recent criticism of the structure, see the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary annual report hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication-...
November 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The government seemingly still hopes to publish the delayed police reform white paper at some point in the next five weeks (Parliament goes into recess for Christmas on 18 December).
Reposted by Matt Ashby
The government has announced that Police and Crime Commissioners will be scrapped in 2028 - which would have been the next elections - saying it will "cut the cost of unnecessary bureaucracy"
Many senior police officers have long wanted them gone, as seen here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Many senior police officers have long wanted them gone, as seen here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Elected police and crime commissioners can be 'absolutely bleeding hopeless', report told
Officers tell researchers Coalition government changes left 'bonkers' structure of British policing
www.independent.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The government has announced that Police and Crime Commissioners will be scrapped in 2028 - which would have been the next elections - saying it will "cut the cost of unnecessary bureaucracy"
Many senior police officers have long wanted them gone, as seen here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Many senior police officers have long wanted them gone, as seen here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Matt Ashby
If you want to engage with policing policy and practice, you need to understand that policing is all about managing the trade offs between different risks, and doing so with finite resources where opportunity cost considerations abound.
November 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
If you want to engage with policing policy and practice, you need to understand that policing is all about managing the trade offs between different risks, and doing so with finite resources where opportunity cost considerations abound.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Record low murder rate in England and Wales
November 10, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Record low murder rate in England and Wales
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Do you think about time in criminology? ⏰ Do you think about how we can better specify temporal processes and effects in theory and research? Consider contributing to a new special collection! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Feel free to send a message if you have any questions!
Feel free to send a message if you have any questions!
📣 Call for papers - special collection!
🕰️Rethinking time in developmental criminology
The concept of time is integral to developmental and life course criminology. By definition, developmental… | J...
📣 Call for papers - special collection!
🕰️Rethinking time in developmental criminology
The concept of time is integral to developmental and life course criminology. By definition, developmental and ...
www.linkedin.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Do you think about time in criminology? ⏰ Do you think about how we can better specify temporal processes and effects in theory and research? Consider contributing to a new special collection! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Feel free to send a message if you have any questions!
Feel free to send a message if you have any questions!
Reposted by Matt Ashby
The American Society of Criminology conference is next week and this is your annual reminder that most of the presentations will likely be 💩
Here are some ways to be less 💩
www.jerryratcliffe.net/post/i-want-...
Here are some ways to be less 💩
www.jerryratcliffe.net/post/i-want-...
I want a refund for your conference presentation
There is a problem with academic criminal justice and criminology, and it’s getting worse.I’ve attended several conferences and meetings in the last three months. And the standard of presentation is d...
www.jerryratcliffe.net
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The American Society of Criminology conference is next week and this is your annual reminder that most of the presentations will likely be 💩
Here are some ways to be less 💩
www.jerryratcliffe.net/post/i-want-...
Here are some ways to be less 💩
www.jerryratcliffe.net/post/i-want-...
Reposted by Matt Ashby
This is a slide I use quite a lot when doing POP training for police. Even when an agency or individual wants to follow SARA properly, there are so many institutional pressures on them to skip steps.
November 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
This is a slide I use quite a lot when doing POP training for police. Even when an agency or individual wants to follow SARA properly, there are so many institutional pressures on them to skip steps.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Are you a PhD student working on a criminological topic (broadly construed)? If so, then please consider applying to the LSE's inaugural criminology PhD Symposium:
www.lse.ac.uk/social-polic...
www.lse.ac.uk/social-polic...
Mannheim Centre for Criminology | PhD Symposium 2026
The LSE’s Mannheim Centre for Criminology is pleased to announce the inaugural PhD Symposium taking place 18-19 May 2026
www.lse.ac.uk
November 3, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Are you a PhD student working on a criminological topic (broadly construed)? If so, then please consider applying to the LSE's inaugural criminology PhD Symposium:
www.lse.ac.uk/social-polic...
www.lse.ac.uk/social-polic...
Reposted by Matt Ashby
The fact that one of the two men arrested has now been cleared and released is a pretty huge "STOP" sign to everyone who's spent the last 24 hours rushing to interpret the attack. Facts, like trains, are sometimes slower to arrive than we'd like. But you just have to wait for them.
Extract from more recent Goodwin post. He really should never be allowed on the BBC - or any other reputable broadcaster - again.
November 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The fact that one of the two men arrested has now been cleared and released is a pretty huge "STOP" sign to everyone who's spent the last 24 hours rushing to interpret the attack. Facts, like trains, are sometimes slower to arrive than we'd like. But you just have to wait for them.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
Tax on international students would be crippling, universities say
The Confederation of British Industry and Universities UK warn plans for a 6% levy will also affect the wider economy
www.thetimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:15 AM
‘The CBI and Universities UK… said universities already subsidised research by £5.4 billion a year, largely through international student income. A levy would "accelerate contraction" in research and innovation, they warned.’
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
www.thetimes.com/article/95f2...
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Take it from me, a real life police officer, NO ONE is giving out free drugs or fentanyl on Halloween
That's not a thing.
As a safety precaution, you should still check your kids candy.
Not because of drugs but for gross candies like circus peanuts, necco wafers, and licorice.
That's not a thing.
As a safety precaution, you should still check your kids candy.
Not because of drugs but for gross candies like circus peanuts, necco wafers, and licorice.
October 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Take it from me, a real life police officer, NO ONE is giving out free drugs or fentanyl on Halloween
That's not a thing.
As a safety precaution, you should still check your kids candy.
Not because of drugs but for gross candies like circus peanuts, necco wafers, and licorice.
That's not a thing.
As a safety precaution, you should still check your kids candy.
Not because of drugs but for gross candies like circus peanuts, necco wafers, and licorice.
Car drivers (🇦🇺) say they feel fixed speed cameras are more effective at deterring speeding, but that speed enforcement by officers on patrol has higher legitimacy. Note, though, the way participants were recruited may have biased the results.
Browse all journals
Browse all journals
www.tandfonline.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Car drivers (🇦🇺) say they feel fixed speed cameras are more effective at deterring speeding, but that speed enforcement by officers on patrol has higher legitimacy. Note, though, the way participants were recruited may have biased the results.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
OTD, when ARC Discovery outcomes are released, this may be appropriate.
Unfortunately.
#highered #resdev #academicsky #resdevmemes
Unfortunately.
#highered #resdev #academicsky #resdevmemes
October 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
OTD, when ARC Discovery outcomes are released, this may be appropriate.
Unfortunately.
#highered #resdev #academicsky #resdevmemes
Unfortunately.
#highered #resdev #academicsky #resdevmemes
Interesting podcast episode featuring @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @dannyshaw.bsky.social discussing the many current challenges facing the government over policing and the rest of the justice system.


The Prisons Crisis Strikes Back
Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 23/10/2025 · 35m
podcasts.apple.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Interesting podcast episode featuring @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @dannyshaw.bsky.social discussing the many current challenges facing the government over policing and the rest of the justice system.


Today I was required to spend 45 minutes doing a formal risk assessment so I can get permission for students to sit on chairs in a room to watch a 20-minute presentation. Just in case anyone is wondering why it seems like academics can never get anything done.
October 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Today I was required to spend 45 minutes doing a formal risk assessment so I can get permission for students to sit on chairs in a room to watch a 20-minute presentation. Just in case anyone is wondering why it seems like academics can never get anything done.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
One wonderful legal fact is that the provision effectively giving licence to agent to commit crimes abroad is...
...section 007 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/1...
...section 007 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/1...
Intelligence Services Act 1994
An Act to make provision about the Secret Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Headquarters, including provision for the issue of warrants and authorisations enabling certain actions...
www.legislation.gov.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
One wonderful legal fact is that the provision effectively giving licence to agent to commit crimes abroad is...
...section 007 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/1...
...section 007 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/1...
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Very good 😂. This describes a lot of what is going on accurately.
Credit: @integralanswers.bsky.social
Credit: @integralanswers.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Very good 😂. This describes a lot of what is going on accurately.
Credit: @integralanswers.bsky.social
Credit: @integralanswers.bsky.social
I imagine quite a few chief constables will be wondering about the answer to this question, too. Especially given it’s their officers who are having to deal with the fallout from the government position in both cases.
How has the government got itself into the position of standing up for Israeli football hooligans, while criminalising peaceful supporters of Palestine Action?
October 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I imagine quite a few chief constables will be wondering about the answer to this question, too. Especially given it’s their officers who are having to deal with the fallout from the government position in both cases.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
🚨 Help, please!
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
October 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🚨 Help, please!
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
🚨 Help, please!
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
October 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
🚨 Help, please!
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
Next week I’m running a session for Year 1 students on using AI at uni. What specific points would you make if you were running it?
(For anyone about to reply “I’d tell them not to use AI”,  please know I don’t think that’s a useful message for them.)
Replacing older street lights (🇺🇸) with LED lights (giving more even lighting with fewer dark spots) led to a decrease in outdoor night-time crimes while indoor crimes stayed the same.
doi.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Replacing older street lights (🇺🇸) with LED lights (giving more even lighting with fewer dark spots) led to a decrease in outdoor night-time crimes while indoor crimes stayed the same.
Reposted by Matt Ashby
Research Associate – Women’s Road Safety in Greater Manchester
0.6 FTE for 12 months
To work with my colleagues Caroline Miles and Rose Broad
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
0.6 FTE for 12 months
To work with my colleagues Caroline Miles and Rose Broad
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Research Associate – Women’s Road Safety in Greater Manchester:Oxford Road
A Research Associate is required to work, directed by Dr Caroline Miles, in the Department of Criminology, University of Manchester [UoM].
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Research Associate – Women’s Road Safety in Greater Manchester
0.6 FTE for 12 months
To work with my colleagues Caroline Miles and Rose Broad
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
0.6 FTE for 12 months
To work with my colleagues Caroline Miles and Rose Broad
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...