The new research from King’s College London, funded by Forces in Mind Trust, has also shown when in their life Service personnel offended to better understand the risk factors for offending, and support needed.

Previous research into offending amongst Service personnel has covered specific time periods, examining in-service and post-service offences separately, but this research is the first to chart offending trajectories from before serving in the Armed Forces to post-service offences to understand what factors affect offending.

The study analysed data anonymously linked between the King’s Centre for Military Health Research’s (KCMHR) Health and Wellbeing cohort study, and data from the Police National Computer Database, covering offences up until September 2017.

The analysis showed that previous anti-social behaviours and having previously offended were associated with higher rates of subsequent offending.  Prior offending was the strongest predictor for subsequent offending, regardless of whether it was in-service or post-service and violent or non-violent.

Mental health diagnoses such as PTSD and common mental health issues such as anxiety or depression were also associated with subsequent offending.

The study also found that among those who do offend, a significant proportion of the offending behaviour takes place during service and the offences being committed are largely less serious violent (e.g. verbal aggression or common assault) and acquisitive crimes (e.g. theft).

The research also found that fewer Service and ex-Service personnel in the cohort had a criminal record compared to the general population, with 16% of the sample having a record compared to an estimated 28% of similarly aged males from the general population.(1)

Recommendations

This research helps understand where preventative measures are best undertaken to reduce offending behaviour during and after service. The report included several recommendations to reduce offending and better support for current and former members of the Armed Forces.

  • The Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces should be aware of key risk factors for offending behaviour during service at recruitment to better support those who may offend.
  • When leaving the Armed Forces, individuals with a history of offending during service should be supported to identify any mental health, social or welfare needs that research has shown to be associated with a higher rate of subsequent offending. Appropriate services should also be identified to support transition.
  • Identification of ex-Service personnel in the criminal justice system needs to be improved to address the unique needs of ex-Service personnel.

The full findings, recommendations and limitations of this research can be read in the full report.

Dr Jamie Kwan, Postdoctoral Research Associate at King’s College London, said,

“This is an exciting study that uses official offending records from the Police National Computer database to explore offending behaviour throughout the life-course of Service personnel. While previous research has provided a wealth of information on offending behaviour perpetrated by military personnel, we have only been focused on a specific time-period in the past. This is particularly important because we were able to identify offending trajectories for military personnel and could pinpoint transition periods where offending behaviour increases or decreases. Overall, our findings should be a steppingstone to make positive changes to supporting military personnel and preventing offending behaviour UK military personnel and veterans.”

Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, said,

“Whilst most members of the Armed Forces will not become involved with the justice system in their lifetime, there are still some who need additional support. This report maps out the factors most likely to be associated with offending across personnel’s service journey allowing proactive engagement to provide improved support. By making proactive well-targeted changes during the course of service, offending behaviour can be reduced and more ex-Service personnel can live fulfilling civilian lives.

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  1. This study linked 11,418 records from male and female UK military personnel between the Police National Computer and the King’s Centre for Military Health and Wellbeing cohort study. The sample was 89.5% male with an average age of 35.4 years. As of 21 September 2017 when the data was linked 65.6% had left Service.
  2. Limitations prevented any Police National Computer being linked after 21 September 2017.