Professor John Synnott publishes White Paper on Serious and Organised Crime

The University of Huddersfield’s Professor John Synnott, has published an important intelligence White Paper,  “Refreshing the Approach to Intelligence: Building the Foundations for Effective SOC Policing". 

The publication captures key insights, challenges, and future priorities identified during a round table event that was held during the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Home Office Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) Local Conference, held at the University earlier this year. 

The roundtable, established and coordinated by Professor Synnott as part of the SOC Local Conference, was chaired by Steve Jupp KPM, Chief Constable at the Ministry of Defence Sovereign Base Areas Police in Cyprus and former NPCC Lead for Serious and Organised Crime. 

The event brought together senior leaders from UK policing and international partners to examine the evolving SOC landscape and pressures facing forces at local, regional, national, and international levels.  

Chief Constable Steve Jupp commented, “Serious and Organised Crime is ever evolving, and those who perpetrate such crimes are agile and imaginative in their methodology. 

"If we are to keep pace and protect our communities, we must constantly listen, learn and evolve. Working together with colleagues across the spectrum of law enforcement and Accademia is vital to achieve our aim of protecting victims and detecting crime. This white paper importantly supports those aims and gives focus and direction for the challenges ahead." 

The White Paper includes a foreword from Deputy Chief Constable Dave McLaren, NPCC Strategic Lead for Intelligence, who in endorsing the report, emphasised the urgency of strengthening intelligence functions across policing. 

“We must prioritise change to prevent tomorrow’s intelligence failures and ensure that our approach remains progressive, integrated, and fit for purpose,” says Deputy Chief Constable McLaren. “This publication is a vital step supporting that vision, and I welcome it wholeheartedly.” 

Professor Synnott added, “This White Paper reflects a highly engaged and thoughtful discussion among senior leaders who are guiding teams at the heart of response to Serious and Organised Crime. Intelligence was never intended to be the central theme of the roundtable, yet it emerged naturally and powerfully throughout the discussions. The message was clear; policing must reinvigorate both the practice of capturing intelligence effectively and the culture that underpins it. 

“I am grateful to all who contributed and proud that the University of Huddersfield can support this important national conversation. I look forward to reconvening this event in April 2026 to build on the momentum we have created.” 

Reflecting on the central intelligence theme, D/Supt Andfrew Farrell, NPCC SOC Local Lead, noted, “Intelligence is the lifeblood of modern policing. In an era where serious and organised crime evolves at unprecedented speed, effective information sharing is not just beneficial, it is mission-critical. 

"This white paper brings together the collective insight of key stakeholders to set out what policing requires to maintain pace with a rapidly shifting SOC landscape. It provides strategic focus, clear direction and tangible opportunities to strengthen and future-proof our law-enforcement response.”