The Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression (VOME) project developed new methods to raise public awareness about internet security, an issue highlighted with today's celebration of Safer Internet Day.

The Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression project, part of the ESRC-supported Ensuring Privacy and Consent programme, has designed a set of design principles to help online service providers respond to the privacy, consent and information needs of web users.

People in Nordic countries have a high level of trust in the police and courts, while people in Eastern European countries tend to be the least trusting of justice institutions, according to recent findings from the ESRC-supported European Social Survey.

Sixty-five per cent of studied rape cases studied were lost at the earliest stage of the justice process, with police decision to take no further action a significant factor. Research shows that police assess a combination of features of the victim and of the incident to determine 'good cases' for court.

Were the August riots 'simply criminality' or a symptom of a wider malaise? Looking at the key sectors of education, employment and family wellbeing, expert commentators explore whether society actually is 'broken' – and how it can be fixed.

A new study from the Centre for Economic Performance suggests that police patrols are a highly effective tool for cutting crime. "Our research suggests that if the police are resourced properly, the effects can be powerful," says CEP researcher Mirko Draca.

Academics and the media have traditionally seen street crime as something carried out by career criminals, but researchers at the University of Glamorgan suggest that survival is not a motive. Interviewed offenders instead point to reasons such as "excitement" and "keeping up appearances".

Research into prison reform and sentencing shows huge variations in the quality of private prisons, a lack of support regarding interrupted education and training, and the value of care-based interaction between staff and prisoners.

Can the nation shake off its 'walk-on-by' attitude and actually stop to help?