ABOUT LAURA RICHARDS

After a decade of analysing violent crime at New Scotland Yard Laura became the violence adviser to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Trained by world leaders at the Behavioural Analysis Unit, National Centre for the Analysis of Violent Crime at the FBI and New Scotland Yard, Laura has applied her psychology degrees to analyse violent crime from a behavioural and preventative perspective.

Laura has been the architect of law reform to better protect victims on 8 occasions as well giving evidence in Connecticut USA and Queensland Australia, both leading to successful outcomes regarding coercive control law reform.

  • Advice and expert analysis on cases

  • Expert led masterclasses run by Laura which center the victim and focus on perpetrators.

    For registration information mail LauraRichardsPA@gmail.com

    2025 Masterclass Dates:

    FREE Criminal Behavioural Analysis: Profiling Behaviour & Escalating Risk

    March 25th at 4pm PT

    March 26th at 7 am PT

    September 30th at 4pm PT

    October 1st at 7 am PT

    Preventing Murder In Slow Motion™ Masterclass (2 hour course)

    April 9th at 4pm PT

    April 10th at 7 am PT

    October 8th at 4pm PT

    October 9th at 7 am PT

    DASH Risk Model Training (2 day course 7-930 am PT each day)

    April 30th and May 1st

    October 29th and 30th

    DASH Train the Trainer Masterclass (2 day course 7-930 am PT each day)

    May 14th and 15th

    November 12th and 13th

    Stalking Awareness and Intervention

    May 22nd

    December 4th

    Coercive Control Masterclass (2 day course 7-930 am PT each day)

    May 28th and 29th

    December 10th and 11th

  • If you want your event to stand out, Laura is engaging and fascinating and will blow your attendees minds with expert insight and analysis. Laura has worked many cases across her career, undertaken pioneering research on risk assessment and homicide prevention and changed laws eight times to protect women and children. Laura will deliver practical knowledge about how to intervene and prevent murders in slow motion™️

  • Available to appear on, consult on and produce groundbreaking shows

  • Listen to Crime Analyst and Real Crime Profile. If you need an expert on your podcast contact Laura.

HER WORK

SEEK CHANGE, UNCOVER THE TRUTH

SEEK CHANGE, UNCOVER THE TRUTH

DASH RISK CHECKLIST

The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH 2009-2025) Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model was implemented across all police services in the UK from March 2009, having been accredited by ACPO Council, now known as National Police Chief Council (NPCC).

This was pioneering and a significant step forward in keeping victims safe, turning a reactive ‘it’s just a domestic’ into a proactive ‘you must ask’ questions approach. This also meant for the first time all police services and a large number of partner agencies across the UK started to use a common checklist for identifying, assessing and managing risk.

AWARDS RECEIVED

Suzy Lamplugh Trust ‘Taking Stalking Seriously Award’, November 14th, 2012

Laura received this award for the work undertaken on the Parliamentary Stalking Law Reform Campaign and raising awareness about stalking.

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair s Letter, February 17th, 2005

I am aware that our success in this area (SPECSS+ (DASH) model and the reduction in domestic violence homicide) is, in large part, down to your extremely detailed and dedicated research, data analysis and evaluation. I therefore did not wish to let the opportunity pass to thank you and the other unsung heroes in the Homicide Prevention Unit for your endeavors.

Head of Homicide Investigations Commendation Commander Baker, January 7th, 2005

Dedication and commitment in the extensive research and analysis on ” Honour Killings”, Honour based Violence and Honour related Violence, which is leading to a strategy to inform inter-agencies to meeting demands of this complex issue. Additionally for work on the International Conference on HBV.

Certificate of excellence from the 9th British Diversity Awards, 2003

The Met Police has been commended in the innovation and awareness Category for its Understanding and Responding to Hate Crime project which emphasises its efforts to promote inclusion within its service.

Charity Times Campaigning Team of the Year Award October 18th, 2012

Laura received this award for her work with Harry Fletcher on the hugely successful Stalking Law Reform Campaign.

Head of Homicide Investigations Commendation, Commander Baker, January 7th, 2005

For dedication and commitment in the extensive research and analysis on homicides and serious violence where mental health features. For continued support to the Specialist Crime Directorate lead, Commander Baker, in supporting the MPS and inter-agency requirements on mental health .

Dod’s Charity Champions Award -National Charity of the Year June 27th, 2012

Laura received the award on behalf of the charity Protection Against Stalking in recognition for the work on the Parliamentary Stalking Law Reform Campaign.

Commissioner’s Commendation, Sir Ian Blair, September 7th, 2005

For dedication, foresight and tenacity and leadership in ground breaking research and analysis of a high data cases, designing and development of the MPS SPECSS+ (DASH) domestic violence risk assessment model and in presenting her findings in the domestic murder review project within MPS and nationally.

LAURA’S RESOURCES

Learn from the best! Given how prevalent domestic abusers and stalkers are and the increasing femicide rate, everyone should be trained to understand the risks and dangers. Laura spearheaded the campaign to criminalize stalking and coercive control in England and Wales and provides expert led masterclass training on coercive control, stalking, DASH Risk Identification, Assessment and Management and preventing murders in slow motion™

  • "Laura Richards is a brilliant and powerful advocate, especially for victims who have been traumatized by stalking and other forms of domestic violence. Her diligence and tenacity has literally changed laws and changed lives."

    Baroness Jan Royall

  • “I first met Laura following the murder of my 20-year-old daughter Hollie. Right from the very outset Laura was considerate and knew exactly how to communicate with me and put me at my ease following such a traumatic experience. Laura was able to explain what happened to Hollie in a way that I could totally understand and she more than answered any questions that I had. I felt totally at ease with Laura and was in awe of her experience and knowledge. So much so, she inspired me to drive forward with my work in building the Hollie Gazzard Trust and helping to raise awareness of stalking and abuse particularly in the younger generation. Laura’s knowledge and experience is second to none and I know that she is always on hand to assist me with any queries or information needed.”

    Nick Gazzard BSc Hons, Dip CII, MInstLM 12/09/16 Chairman Hollie Gazzard Trust

  • "Laura is an excellent trainer and I have learnt so much from her, particularly on how my role in the violence against women sector as a victim advocate is closely linked to understanding the behaviour of perpetrators. Her influence on my work has been huge and I highly recommend her courses."

    Shonagh Dillon CEO Aurora New Dawn

  • "I write to thank you for your work in supporting the investigation into the murder of Natalie Esack. Ivan Esack was convicted of murdering Natalie Esack and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 28 years to serve before being considered for parole."

    DCI Paul Fotheringham, Senior Investigating Officer, Kent and Essex Police 11 February 2013

  • "Operation Monarch was a multi-force investigation into a linked series of serious sexual offences. it was the experience, knowledge and energy of Ms Richards that focused attention on the potential scale of Richard Baker’s offences Miss Richards work in the early days of the investigation drove many of the lines of enquiry.. Her efforts in co-ordinating other forces activities has contributed significantly to the success of this enquiry.. Within a period of days Ms Richards identified six other offences within the MPS. Baker has been charged with the five offences identified by Ms Richards. I would be most grateful if you would kindly consider passing on my warm thanks for the professionalism, commitment and expertise of Miss Richards."

    Detective Superintendent Shaun Sawyer, Metropolitan Police Service

  • "Laura’s presentation on behavioural and linkage analysis on serious sexual assaults is always well structured, enthusiastically received and is the subject that generates the most questions from the students. From an instructor?s perspective, her presentation compliments the thrust of the course as a whole, the need for relevant detail both for specific investigation and also for intelligence purposes. It provides the student with a practical slant, that until now has been a largely theoretical perspective."

    DS Chris Blatch, Metropolitan Police Service

  • "Thank you for your assistance with Operation Stalybridge, the linked rape and indecent assault series. The person was convicted of the above offences and various firearm matters. He received life imprisonment. Whilst your report was not used in evidence, it was of course disclosed and I feel it had a material impact on the course of his defence. Without it?.the evidence would have been considerably weakened. It was also commented upon by the CPS representative in that it was a clear and concise report and I personally found it very useful at police/CPS case conferences."

    DCI Allan Aubeelack, Metropolitan Police Service

  • "I am writing to bring to your attention the excellent contribution made by Laura Richards and to express my thanks to her for assisting the Police Standards Unit to disseminate the Domestic Violence Risk Model and Homicide Reviews being conducted in the MPS. Laura gave a presentation on the DV Risk Assessment Tool kit, which we are highlighting as good practice. Her professionalism and commitment was evident from the outset, and having met her for the first time I was duly impressed. I must highlight to you that you have a hard working and conscientious person who is a credit to your force."

    ACC Whyte, Head of Operational Policing, Police Standards Unit, Home Office

  • "We would like to thank Laura for the time she spent with us and for the skilled presentation, compelling and stimulating."

    Mike Head, Probation Programme Manager, Sex Offender / Domestic Violence Units

  • "I am just writing to say how grateful I am that you were able to speak at the Domestic Abuse Conference in Winchester. I watched the audience during your presentation and they were absolutely spellbound by what you were saying. The feedback was excellent."

    Detective Superintendent John Fox, Head of Specialist Investigations, Hampshire Police

  • "I write to express my sincere appreciation for your support and contribution in making the recently held Domestic Violence and Child Protection conference the outstanding success it was."

    Detective Chief Superintendent Jim Webster, Force Crime Manager, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

  • "Laura’s input at the Doncaster Forced Marriage seminar was of the highest order. Her intellectual grasp of the subject was evident and she demonstrated the clear benefits to people like me of how investment in this type of work yields operational benefits. It was clear Laura was totally committed to her important work. She left an excellent impression of the Met amongst those who attended the conference. I commend her to you."

    Chief Superintendent Cassidy, South Yorkshire Police, letter to the Commissioner

  • "I am writing to thank you very much for your excellent presentation at the LGA/Home Office/Department of Health Taking Responsibility and Saving Lives: the New Domestic Homicide Reviews conference. Your presentation was very well received and added a valuable dimension to the event."

    Kate Mulley, London Government Association (LGA)

  • "As a DI in charge of one of London’s busiest Child Abuse Investigation Teams, I am indebted to Laura for her specialist advice and guidance in dealing with a number of cases involving Honour Based Violence (HBV). Laura has always provided me with timely and practical tactical advice, written risk assessments and has assisted hugely not only in the management of specific cases, but also in educating colleagues about this very pertinent issue. I strongly recommend Laura to any SIO dealing with an investigation involving HBV."

    DI Mick Thurley, Child Abuse Investigation Command, Metropolitan Police Service

PODCASTS

PODCASTS

CRIME ANALYST & REAL CRIME PROFILE

Join Laura every week in the intelligence cell as she forensically deconstructs cases with an expert lens.Through fascinating storytelling Laura shares her professional expertise, respectfully centering the victim, highlighting the red flags and focusing on early intervention and prevention.

Real Crime Profile is an award winning podcast which places the victim’s voice at the center of the narrative as we expertly forensically deconstruct and profile cases. Retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente and former New Scotland Yard Criminal Behavioural Analyst Laura Richards use their collective 64 years experience of analyzing violent crime and discuss real life cases with Lisa Zambetti, the Casting Director of the hit CBS show Criminal Minds.

CONTACT LAURA RICHARDS

L C Richards BSc (Hons), MSc, MBPsS

laura@laurarichards.co.uk

For further information on the DASH (2009-2025) Risk Model and training enquiries:

Email —  laurarichardspa@gmail.com