Policy Briefs

Policy brief: Crime Facilitated by the Metaverse(s)

This briefing discusses crime threats that can be facilitated by the metaverse – as identified in the literature and by experts – and discusses the suitability of existing legal frameworks to effectively support their prevention and prosecution.

Policy brief: Older adults as victims of online financial crime

This briefing summarises research which explored how and why older adults become victims of online financial crime and investigate possible ways to address it, based on the findings of a literature review and cross-sector workshop.

Policy brief: Synthetic biology and future crime

This briefing identifies eight potential crimes enabled by synthetic biology and suggests some preventative measures to address them.

Policy report: Network and Information Systems: Improving Implementation

The Government should focus on cross-sector dependencies and improve its approach to assessing compliance if the cyber security of critical national infrastructure is to be improved.

Policy brief: Cryptocurrencies and future crime

Cryptocurrencies are a form of digital or virtual currency that have become increasingly popular since Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, launched in 2009.

Policy brief: AI-enabled future crime

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies could be exploited for crime. This briefing ranks 20 potential AI-enabled future crimes. Fake audio and video content is perceived to be the biggest threat.

Policy brief: How secure is consumer IoT?

This research explored crime associated with the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), security features of devices and consumers’ willingness to pay for security.

Policy brief: Challenges of preventing counterfeit goods

Pharmaceuticals, food & drink, agrochemicals & toiletries are all highly susceptible to counterfeiting. Imports of counterfeit & pirated goods to the UK accounted for as much as £13.6bn in 2016 (OECD).