Critically examining ‘Flashpoints’ theory

This critical appraisal of the ‘Flashpoints’ model raises the potential for its operational application as a vehicle for threat and risk assessment based on contextual intelligence. The model has been successfully used to analyse different types of disorder events, including urban disorders, football violence and single issue protest. An extra level of structuration to take account of police traditions and doctrines was added to the six interdependent levels of the original model. Inclusion of this seventh level provided better contextual understanding of police agency at the ‘interactional’ level of the model. This framework was applied to findings from a comparative study of public disorders in France and Britain, providing valuable insights into the nature and style of the approaches adopted in the two countries. This version of the model proved effective and thorough in its coverage of the critical areas. Due to their interdependence and overlapping nature, the seven levels ensured that the necessary ground was covered. The ‘Flashpoints’ model is ultimately a framework for providing contextual intelligence and showed promise as a tool for community threat assessment. Its contextual levels of analysis do not have to be used after the event. Its use would give police commanders a better understanding of the precursors of disorder and deviance within the communities they serve. At the very least it would evidence analysis and evaluation of local conditions and an ongoing commitment and desire to anticipate and mitigate contingencies.