Iain
@routineactivity.bsky.social
Geo/Data professional. Public Safety and Policing.
Create and share resources for crime analysts: https://sites.google.com/view/routineactivity/home
Blog sometimes on Medium:
https://medium.com/@routineactivity85
Create and share resources for crime analysts: https://sites.google.com/view/routineactivity/home
Blog sometimes on Medium:
https://medium.com/@routineactivity85
I tested a Databricks workflow to turn raw OSINT into a strategic summary (Volumes + model endpoint).
Great for processing speed; accuracy, provenance, and bias remain uncertain - use with analyst oversight and clear evaluation criteria.
medium.com/@routineacti...
Great for processing speed; accuracy, provenance, and bias remain uncertain - use with analyst oversight and clear evaluation criteria.
medium.com/@routineacti...
OSINT: From Raw Text to Threat Assessment with Databricks
In law enforcement intelligence, analysts are often required to produce intelligence assessments — drawing from human, technical, or…
medium.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I tested a Databricks workflow to turn raw OSINT into a strategic summary (Volumes + model endpoint).
Great for processing speed; accuracy, provenance, and bias remain uncertain - use with analyst oversight and clear evaluation criteria.
medium.com/@routineacti...
Great for processing speed; accuracy, provenance, and bias remain uncertain - use with analyst oversight and clear evaluation criteria.
medium.com/@routineacti...
Not something I usually do, but excited to share a first attempt at creating a Python package, hexseg.
It assists in streamlining two popular count-based crime analysis methods by creating hexagonal grids or street-segment analyses across geographic study areas.
github.com/routineactiv...
It assists in streamlining two popular count-based crime analysis methods by creating hexagonal grids or street-segment analyses across geographic study areas.
github.com/routineactiv...
GitHub - routineactivity/hexseg: Spatial functions for analysing crime by hexagons and street segments
Spatial functions for analysing crime by hexagons and street segments - routineactivity/hexseg
github.com
August 1, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Not something I usually do, but excited to share a first attempt at creating a Python package, hexseg.
It assists in streamlining two popular count-based crime analysis methods by creating hexagonal grids or street-segment analyses across geographic study areas.
github.com/routineactiv...
It assists in streamlining two popular count-based crime analysis methods by creating hexagonal grids or street-segment analyses across geographic study areas.
github.com/routineactiv...
Police stops and naive denominators
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Police stops and naïve denominators - Crime Science
A comparison of the racial composition of police stops to the entire population of a city or jurisdiction is frequently cited as evidence of racial bias in proactive policework. This article argues th...
link.springer.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Police stops and naive denominators
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Iain
New paper led by Mia Puur at Lund Uni out ✅
In the paper we show that combining spatial and temporal patterns is important to understand violent crime. Patterns differ a lot across weekdays vs weekends, mornings vs evenings etc.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
In the paper we show that combining spatial and temporal patterns is important to understand violent crime. Patterns differ a lot across weekdays vs weekends, mornings vs evenings etc.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Risk: A Risk Terrain Modeling Approach in Stockholm, Sweden - European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research
Decades of criminological research have highlighted the principle that “place matters” when analysing crime dynamics. While acknowledging this, our study emphasises that place matters at specific time...
link.springer.com
May 29, 2025 at 6:40 AM
New paper led by Mia Puur at Lund Uni out ✅
In the paper we show that combining spatial and temporal patterns is important to understand violent crime. Patterns differ a lot across weekdays vs weekends, mornings vs evenings etc.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
In the paper we show that combining spatial and temporal patterns is important to understand violent crime. Patterns differ a lot across weekdays vs weekends, mornings vs evenings etc.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
London weapon homicide and gang mapping. Interactive leaflet map using open source data.
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-04...
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-04...
London Weapon Homicide and Gang Mapping | @routineactivity
routineactivity.github.io
May 29, 2025 at 6:40 AM
London weapon homicide and gang mapping. Interactive leaflet map using open source data.
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-04...
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-04...
Nice simple way for visualising density as elevation along street networks.
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-05...
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-05...
Visualising Crime Along Routes: Robbery density along London's Oxford Street | @routineactivity
routineactivity.github.io
May 29, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Nice simple way for visualising density as elevation along street networks.
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-05...
routineactivity.github.io/maps/2025-05...
Using Open Data to Explore Crime in Boston MA - example for how open data, combined with a few open accessible tools — Python, PostgreSQL, and Power BI — can help deliver timely insights from almost real-time data feeds.
medium.com/@routineacti...
medium.com/@routineacti...
Using Open Data to Explore Boston Crime
In this mini-project I used three tools:
medium.com
May 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Using Open Data to Explore Crime in Boston MA - example for how open data, combined with a few open accessible tools — Python, PostgreSQL, and Power BI — can help deliver timely insights from almost real-time data feeds.
medium.com/@routineacti...
medium.com/@routineacti...
Thread. Some books I remember reading as part of my Human Geography undergraduate degree.
1. The Making of the English Landscape, W.G. Hoskins
www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Engli...
1. The Making of the English Landscape, W.G. Hoskins
www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Engli...
The Making of the English Landscape (Nature Classics Library)
Buy The Making of the English Landscape (Nature Classics Library) Illustrated by W. G. Hoskins, William Boyd (ISBN: 9781908213105) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
March 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Thread. Some books I remember reading as part of my Human Geography undergraduate degree.
1. The Making of the English Landscape, W.G. Hoskins
www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Engli...
1. The Making of the English Landscape, W.G. Hoskins
www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Engli...
Evaluating Place-Based Crime Interventions: A Walkthrough of the Home Office Clear Hold Build Impact Evaluation
(propensity scores, synthetic controls and diff-in-diff)
medium.com/@routineacti...
(propensity scores, synthetic controls and diff-in-diff)
medium.com/@routineacti...
Evaluating Place-Based Crime Interventions: A Walkthrough of the Home Office Clear, Hold, Build…
The Home Office Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) initiative is a place-focused intervention that has been happening in England and Wales since…
medium.com
February 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Evaluating Place-Based Crime Interventions: A Walkthrough of the Home Office Clear Hold Build Impact Evaluation
(propensity scores, synthetic controls and diff-in-diff)
medium.com/@routineacti...
(propensity scores, synthetic controls and diff-in-diff)
medium.com/@routineacti...
#criminologists #ebp #policing looking for papers that consider effect of days/weeks of action (short crackdowns) comparative to instead embedded regular consistent tactics/management over sustained periods of time, to address chronic problems?
February 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
#criminologists #ebp #policing looking for papers that consider effect of days/weeks of action (short crackdowns) comparative to instead embedded regular consistent tactics/management over sustained periods of time, to address chronic problems?
Reposted by Iain
The head of Amnesty International UK claims in this Guardian article that "The evidence that [predictive policing] keeps us safe just isn’t there". But that's simply not true.
Let's look at what the best-available evidence on predictive policing shows …
🧵
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Let's look at what the best-available evidence on predictive policing shows …
🧵
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK use of predictive policing is racist and should be banned, says Amnesty
Exclusive: rights group says use of algorithms and data reinforces discrimination in UK policing
www.theguardian.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The head of Amnesty International UK claims in this Guardian article that "The evidence that [predictive policing] keeps us safe just isn’t there". But that's simply not true.
Let's look at what the best-available evidence on predictive policing shows …
🧵
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Let's look at what the best-available evidence on predictive policing shows …
🧵
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I thought this was disappointing. It starts with a conclusion, then proceeds to push a narrative towards that conclusion, whilst ignoring evidence to the contrary. No attempt to unpick data, stats, ML, AI - all muddied together. This fails to be a credible critique
Given that this critique seems to describe hotspot identification and patrolling (good evidence of deterrence in many places) as racist predictive policing, it would be interesting to know how Amnesty would allocate finite police resources. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK use of predictive policing is racist and should be banned, says Amnesty
Exclusive: rights group says use of algorithms and data reinforces discrimination in UK policing
www.theguardian.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I thought this was disappointing. It starts with a conclusion, then proceeds to push a narrative towards that conclusion, whilst ignoring evidence to the contrary. No attempt to unpick data, stats, ML, AI - all muddied together. This fails to be a credible critique
Do we have comparative data for knife (carrying at least) spanning the same period? @iainbrennan.bsky.social
Check out our new paper on gun carrying over the life course!
New in Science Advances from @phdcn-study.bsky.social: 2/3 of people who ever carried guns began in adulthood, and their patterns of carrying differ greatly from those who began carrying in adolescence. Open access at www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #ScienceAdvancesResearch
January 24, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Do we have comparative data for knife (carrying at least) spanning the same period? @iainbrennan.bsky.social
Before and after...Aberfeldy, Tower Hamlets, East London. www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-wh...
January 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Before and after...Aberfeldy, Tower Hamlets, East London. www.onlondon.co.uk/dave-hill-wh...
Do remote workers deter neighbourhood crime?
Evidence finds remote working explains significant proportion of the 30% drop in burglary since 2019.
www.cesifo.org/en/publicati...
Evidence finds remote working explains significant proportion of the 30% drop in burglary since 2019.
www.cesifo.org/en/publicati...
Do Remote Workers Deter Neighborhood Crime? Evidence from the Rise of Working from Home
In this paper, we provide the first evidence of the effect of the shift to remote work on crime. We examine the impact of the rise of working from home (WFH) on neighborhood-level burglary rates, expl...
www.cesifo.org
January 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Do remote workers deter neighbourhood crime?
Evidence finds remote working explains significant proportion of the 30% drop in burglary since 2019.
www.cesifo.org/en/publicati...
Evidence finds remote working explains significant proportion of the 30% drop in burglary since 2019.
www.cesifo.org/en/publicati...
In game public safety messages.
I've never seen public safety messages broadcast watching sports in the UK.
I've never seen public safety messages broadcast watching sports in the UK.
December 24, 2024 at 2:19 PM
In game public safety messages.
I've never seen public safety messages broadcast watching sports in the UK.
I've never seen public safety messages broadcast watching sports in the UK.
Reposted by Iain
In Norway and noticed situational strategies for self-service checkouts I’ve not seen elsewhere. 1) a requirement to state you have scanned all items (set rules) 2) automated random checks on purchases by staff (formal surveillance) & 3) scanning receipt to activate exit barrier (screen exits)
December 21, 2024 at 6:32 PM
In Norway and noticed situational strategies for self-service checkouts I’ve not seen elsewhere. 1) a requirement to state you have scanned all items (set rules) 2) automated random checks on purchases by staff (formal surveillance) & 3) scanning receipt to activate exit barrier (screen exits)
@mannegerell.bsky.social some of my images (poor camera skills) from Hyllie in Malmö
December 20, 2024 at 7:26 PM
@mannegerell.bsky.social some of my images (poor camera skills) from Hyllie in Malmö
Reposted by Iain
And for even more, check out this (easy to read! non-academic!) paper I wrote for the Aspen Economic Strategy Group on why crime matters & what to do about it.
www.economicstrategygroup.org/publication/...
www.economicstrategygroup.org/publication/...
Why Crime Matters, and What to Do About It • The Aspen Institute Economic Strategy Group
In this paper, Jennifer Doleac describes what is known about crime trends in the US and outlines the best evidence to date on the effectiveness of various approaches to reducing crime through preventi...
www.economicstrategygroup.org
December 7, 2024 at 2:18 PM
And for even more, check out this (easy to read! non-academic!) paper I wrote for the Aspen Economic Strategy Group on why crime matters & what to do about it.
www.economicstrategygroup.org/publication/...
www.economicstrategygroup.org/publication/...
Responding to nonemergency calls via video RCT findings from Dorset UK
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Responding to nonemergency calls for service via video: A randomized controlled trial
Research summary We tested the effectiveness of virtual response in policing as an alternative to the traditional physical presence of officers to nonemergency calls for service. We randomly assigne...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 24, 2024 at 12:55 PM
Responding to nonemergency calls via video RCT findings from Dorset UK
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Iain
Hot off the press! New open access article from us out of #OperationSoteria on the unintended consequences of changes to police recording on rape. Read, enjoy, and weep at the cycle of one step forward two steps back in criminal justice reform academic.oup.com/policing/art...
The unintended consequences of improving police recording of rape in England and Wales
ABSTRACT. A strong focus in recent policy and media coverage has been the increase in reporting of rape coupled with an associated fall in the charge rate,
academic.oup.com
November 21, 2024 at 12:58 PM
Hot off the press! New open access article from us out of #OperationSoteria on the unintended consequences of changes to police recording on rape. Read, enjoy, and weep at the cycle of one step forward two steps back in criminal justice reform academic.oup.com/policing/art...
Reposted by Iain
New working paper: Temperature, crime and policing: Evidence from UK geocoded data
Short thread below, paper available here: doi.org/10.31235/osf...
#Econsky #Criminology #WeAreNCL
Short thread below, paper available here: doi.org/10.31235/osf...
#Econsky #Criminology #WeAreNCL
November 21, 2024 at 8:00 PM
New working paper: Temperature, crime and policing: Evidence from UK geocoded data
Short thread below, paper available here: doi.org/10.31235/osf...
#Econsky #Criminology #WeAreNCL
Short thread below, paper available here: doi.org/10.31235/osf...
#Econsky #Criminology #WeAreNCL
Reposted by Iain
We're looking for a lead Quant Analyst to join our team. Interested in a new challenge, or know someone who might be? Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or apply here: www.crestadvisory.com/post/we-are-...
We're hiring a Lead Quantitative Analyst
The Lead Quantitative Analyst is a newly introduced role at Crest Advisory, created to support the growth of our data analytics services for clients in the justice, policing, and public safety sectors...
www.crestadvisory.com
November 17, 2024 at 11:35 AM
We're looking for a lead Quant Analyst to join our team. Interested in a new challenge, or know someone who might be? Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or apply here: www.crestadvisory.com/post/we-are-...