BTL-COP is a Research and Innovation Action funded by the Horizon Europe programme under the call HORIZON-CL3-2024-FCT-01 (Grant Agreement No. 101226104). The project addresses some of the most serious and persistent challenges faced by European and UK societies, particularly poverty-related crime, social exclusion, and aporophobia. Aporophobia refers to negative attitudes, prejudice, or discrimination directed toward individuals and communities living in poverty, which often leads to marginalisation, reduced access to protection, and weakened trust in public institutions. These social dynamics can contribute directly to crime and insecurity, especially in vulnerable neighbourhoods.

In many cases, traditional policing does not work well in communities facing social and economic problems. People who are more vulnerable are often more affected by crime, but they may not trust the police or other public services. When trust is low, people report fewer crimes and are less willing to work with the police. This makes it harder to prevent crime. BTL-COP aims to respond to these challenges by promoting a more inclusive, trust-based, and community-focused approach to policing.

A key innovation of the BTL-COP project is the development and use of the BondMate device, a secure digital tool designed to support police officers in their everyday work with communities. BondMate functions as a secure and portable communication and support device that helps officers collect, access, and share information while operating in the field. Through BondMate, officers can receive real-time alerts and messages, record observations, and securely document incidents or community concerns as they occur. This helps reduce delays, improves the accuracy of information, and supports better and more timely decision-making during police operations. The device is particularly useful in community policing contexts, where effective communication, transparency, and responsiveness are essential for building trust and addressing local issues.

BondMate is designed to transform how police and communities co-learn, respond to vulnerability, and build resilience. It is connected directly with existing emergency response and command-and-control systems, enabling officers to quickly share critical information and other emergency services when necessary. This seamless integration ensures that the device complements existing policing tools rather than replacing them, making it easier for police organisations to adopt and use within their current operational structures. ITML will ensure the BondMate device integrates securely with Police Authority and emergency response platforms by gathering technical requirements and defining the interoperability approach. ITML will also design and specify the API and technical interfaces needed for secure real-time data exchange (e.g. alerts and location sharing), aligned with privacy requirements.

Beyond technological innovation, BTL-COP will develop comprehensive training materials to enhance community-oriented policing practices. The effectiveness of the BTL-COP approach will be evaluated through a series of real-world pilot activities conducted in diverse urban and social contexts. These pilots will assess the performance of key project components, including the BondMate device, training resources, and community engagement strategies, with a focus on reducing poverty-related crime, improving trust between law enforcement and communities, and fostering local cooperation.

Pilot evaluations will produce detailed reports documenting implementation, outcomes, and lessons learned, providing a strong evidence base to guide future policy and operational improvements. These activities will also generate practical guidance for community-oriented policing that can be adapted to different local contexts, ensuring the BTL-COP model is scalable and transferable across regions facing similar social and economic challenges.

Finally, a robust communication and sustainability plan will ensure that the knowledge, tools, and innovations developed by BTL-COP are widely disseminated and remain accessible after the project concludes. By actively involving policymakers, police officers, and community members, BTL-COP aims to enhance public safety, social inclusion, and trust-based policing across Europe and the UK.