Crest Insights is the think tank for the whole of the criminal justice system. Our mission is to do the hard thinking which drives policy reform and makes communities safer.
We’re independent, and have a non-party approach. Our research follows evidence, not agendas. Crest Insights targets priority problems and don’t shy away from sensitive subjects or difficult debates. We dig deeply into the data to ensure our findings are robust. We listen carefully to lived experiences, so our insights are relevant. And we explore public perceptions, so our policy recommendations are realistic.
Crest Insights does this by collaborating with organisations across the justice system and wider public sector, and with charities, academics and the private sector.
Projects and publications
Explore our recent Insights projects by theme. Click 'Read more' on each project box to find their associated reports and perspectives.
Cutting the Head off the Snake:
Disrupting County Lines
Completed
Crest Advisory and Forensic Analytics considered the role played by technology in the criminal exploitation of children involved in ‘county lines’ drug gangs.
County Lines: Breaking the Cycle
Completed
This project, funded by the Hadley Trust, studied the lives of 13 children and young people and their involvement in county lines drug dealing.
County Lines and Looked After Children
Completed
Funded by the Hadley Trust, Crest examined the criminal exploitation of looked after children in two police force areas.
How we work
Methods
The quality of our research underpins everything that Crest Insights does. Our core research team applies the highest standards of evidence and ethics in everything we do.
Our findings and recommendations are tested by senior advisors with real world experience of the problems and issues they address.
Funding
We’re housed within Crest Advisory and operate on a not-for-profit basis. The rates we charge cover the direct and indirect costs of producing and publishing research.
Our projects are funded by charitable trusts and foundations, individual donors, and sponsorship from partners to the justice system whose mission and values align to ours.
These are declared transparently in our reports.
We receive additional support from Crest Consulting, whose work for clients draws on our evidence and insights.