What is the concept of intelligence-led policing?

Intelligence-led policing is fundamentally about making informed policing decisions driven by detailed and analyzed information. This concept prioritizes gathering and using intelligence—such as crime patterns, trends, and underlying causes of criminal behavior—to guide law enforcement actions and resource allocation. By leveraging data, agencies can identify potential threats, prevent crime more effectively, and respond to community needs in a prioritized manner.

This approach contrasts with the idea of relying solely on traditional policing methods or ignoring data altogether, which can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for crime prevention. It is also broader than just cybercrime, as it applies to various crime types and investigative methods. Lastly, while community involvement is essential in policing, intelligence-led policing specifically emphasizes the importance of data and analytics in shaping strategies and not merely relying on community input alone.