Coventry University makes gun crime the target in European ballistics study

A team of Coventry University researchers is leading on a high-profile project which will aim to provide EU policy makers with a body of knowledge concerning the nature, extent and impact of gun-enabled crime (GEC).
 
The project, named EFFECT, is based in the Centre for Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement, which was launched in 2014 as part of the university’s ambitious new research strategy.

In the first European project of its kind, EFFECT will also examine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at combating GEC and the cross-border sharing of ballistic intelligence. This will allow for targeted responses to gun-enabled crime based on sound evidence.

Professor Erica Bowen, from the Centre for Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement, is one of the project leads. She said:

Project EFFECT will help to establish a clearer picture of approaches to reducing gun enabled crime; from legislation, international cross-border police agencies and policy makers, down to those implementing interventions with offenders and in communities at risk of GEC.
 
We are excited to be leading on this piece of work with key partners, which will highlight the research expertise of Coventry University while providing tangible outcomes which we hope will influence EU policy in this area.

Other project leads are Helen Poole from Coventry University, Dr Ercole Giap Piarini from Calabria University in Italy, and Paul James from Arquebus Solutions Limited. 

The research team comprises academics from Coventry University and includes research staff from Belgium, Germany and Greece, as well as the UK, with expertise in areas such as policing and crime reduction. The partners in the project are researchers from Calabria University, Italy, the Italian State Police, and the National Criminalistic-Technical Centre in Serbia. 

In order to support the overall programme activities Arquebus Solutions Limited have been appointed to bring gun crime expertise and experience to project EFFECT.  Based on Coventry University’s technology park, Arquebus was founded in 2012 by former senior members of the United Kingdom’s National Ballistics Intelligence Service.

In addition to providing consultative support to the team, Arquebus will also support EFFECT through the acquisition of 1,000 pieces of ballistic material from the National Criminalistic-Technical Centre (NCTC) in Belgrade, Serbia. 

Matt Lewis, Director of Operations for Arquebus Solutions said:

It is an honour to work with Coventry University and the European Union in creating a greater understanding of gun enabled crime in Europe through project EFFECT.  

In supporting the overall project goals we are confident that the skills, expertise and knowledge we have been able to amass in relation to transnational gun enabled crime and ballistics services will complement the strong and determined team at Coventry University and the wider partners.