AI Joins the Force: How Technology is Transforming UK Policing

Artificial intelligence is reshaping law enforcement in the UK, with Bedfordshire Police becoming the first county to fully integrate AI tools into its operations. Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst was inspired by Germany’s use of AI to locate a missing child and has now brought the same technology to British policing.

AI’s Immediate Impact on Crime Prevention

In just eight days, the AI-powered system flagged 123 additional young people at risk of exploitation and reduced safeguarding referral times by 67%. Call data processing, which once took 48 hours, is now completed in just three. The system, developed by Palantir, aggregates data from various sources, compiling comprehensive suspect profiles and enabling officers to act swiftly.

Before AI implementation, detectives had to search over 80 separate databases manually. Now, a single interface provides real-time access to thousands of messages, documents, and 999 calls. The AI also maps criminal networks by analyzing phone records, vehicle data, and identities—automating the work previously done with physical charts and whiteboards. Detectives receive instant alerts when new developments occur, ensuring faster responses.

AI Efficiency Gains and Crime Detection

The software is saving Bedfordshire Police 35% of officer and staff time during investigations. Some tasks that previously took hours can now be completed in seconds. Subject profiling time has been cut by 80%, and creating association charts has seen a 75% reduction.

Rodenhurst, also the national lead for serious and organized crime, emphasizes AI’s potential: “If this was in every region, overnight you would join up policing for serious and organized crime, and I think that would be very powerful.” He argues that, given resource constraints, not investing in AI is no longer an option.

AI’s Expanding Role in Public Services

Beyond policing, AI is increasingly being utilized in public services. The NHS is deploying AI scanners capable of detecting cancer in seconds. Schools are leveraging AI-powered lesson planners, and AI is being explored for streamlining government bureaucracy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described AI as a “defining opportunity” for the UK, while the US has launched a $500 billion initiative to develop AI infrastructure. However, law enforcement remains one of the most critical areas for AI adoption, as criminals are often early adopters of new technologies.

AI and Law Enforcement: The Privacy Debate

Despite AI’s advantages, privacy concerns persist. The Metropolitan Police has expanded the use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology, which scans faces in public areas and compares them to a watch list of 16,000 individuals. Last year, LFR helped arrest 600 suspects in London, including 55 individuals charged with violent offenses and 58 sex offenders violating their release conditions.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called LFR one of the biggest advancements in policing since fingerprinting, stating: “It is extraordinary, its ability. It is accurate, fair and it’s not intrusive.” However, civil liberties groups, including Liberty, warn of a regulatory gap, describing AI’s adoption as a “Wild West” with insufficient oversight.

Public opinion remains divided. A YouGov poll found that 57% of people support LFR in public spaces, while 28% oppose it. Support is also growing for a universal digital ID system, with a survey indicating that 53% of the public back the initiative.

The Future of AI in Law Enforcement

AI is not just about efficiency—it is fundamentally changing how crimes are investigated. New AI-driven tools like Dragon Slayer in West Mercia help identify grooming behavior by sifting through vast amounts of digital data. Avon and Somerset Police are trialing Söze, an AI platform capable of processing 81 years' worth of investigative work in just 30 hours. The potential applications extend to prisons, where AI could monitor and predict inmate behavior, potentially reducing violence.

Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, is considering how AI could revolutionize sentencing and rehabilitation programs, including virtual prisons that allow offenders to serve sentences under house arrest. Meanwhile, forensic technology is advancing, with on-the-spot DNA analysis soon allowing officers to identify suspects instantly without lab testing.

The Need for AI Integration

Despite the promise of AI, policing in the UK still suffers from outdated technology. The police national computer is 50 years old, and England and Wales’ 43 police forces operate multiple disconnected databases. A modern AI-powered infrastructure could address these inefficiencies, improving response times and ensuring cross-regional cooperation.

As criminals increasingly use AI for fraud and cybercrime, law enforcement must evolve to keep pace. The National Crime Agency reports that fraud and cybercrime now account for more than half of all crimes in England and Wales. AI is also fueling new threats, such as deepfake scams and chatbot radicalization.

Professor Shane Johnson from University College London warns that AI is advancing faster than legal and ethical frameworks. “The technology is moving much faster than our understanding of it and how to legislate,” he notes. Without rapid adaptation, the UK risks falling behind.

Where Do We Go From Here?

AI has already begun reshaping policing in the UK, with Bedfordshire leading the way. While concerns about privacy and oversight remain, the efficiency and effectiveness gains are undeniable. If AI is to be a force for good, law enforcement must balance innovation with regulation, ensuring technology is used responsibly while keeping pace with evolving threats. As Met AI chief Alex Murray puts it, failing to embrace AI means “losing the battle against serious organized crime.”

References

• Rachel Sylvester (2025). AI there, you’re nicked! Tech is reshaping how we fight crime. The Times. Available online. Accessed 2 February 2025.