Blog
A year ago, the YEF and the Society of Evidence Based Policing (SEBP) began working together with one shared aim: to help policing do more of what works in preventing violence involving children.
Both YEF and SEBP are united by the belief that better decisions come from using the best available evidence. At YEF, we focus on building and sharing knowledge about what works to prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence. SEBP brings that evidence into practice, supporting officers and staff to apply it in their day-to-day work.
This partnership is helping to bridge the gap between research and policing practice — making sure that knowledge is not only generated but also used where it matters most.
Highlights from the first year
In the past 12 months, our partnership with SEBP has supported significant progress in embedding evidence into policing:
- Stronger foundations: SEBP has professionalised its operations, appointing its first Chief Operating Officer and strengthening governance and strategic planning.
- Bringing evidence to the frontline: Through national and regional events, SEBP has engaged thousands of officers and staff in discussions about evidence-informed practice. Over 85% of participants said these sessions add real value to their roles.
- Turning research into action: New implementation workshops have helped policing professionals put evidence into practice — drawing on approaches highlighted in the YEF Toolkit, such as hotspots policing, focused deterrence, and problem-solving policing.
- Expanding the community: SEBP membership has grown by over 1,500 people in just one year — the largest increase in its history.
Looking ahead
The partnership is only just beginning. Over the next year, SEBP will continue to expand its membership, host more conferences and workshops, and launch the first National Evidence-Based Policing Awards, including a category dedicated to youth violence prevention.
At YEF, we’re proud to support this work. Together, we’re making sure that every officer and staff member — no matter their role or region — has the confidence and tools to use evidence in preventing violence and keeping children safe.
Read the full blog on the SEBP website.