Police and crime committee proposes cutting police oversight to use AI to put more police on London's streets

In 2018, the chair of the London Assembly's police and crime committee called on London's mayor to cut the budget of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, which provides oversight, in order to pay for AI systems. The intention was that the efficiencies of adopting AI would free up officers' time by helping spot crime patterns to identify potential suspects, and examine data on seized devices. The time saved could put greater numbers of police on the streets to counter London's rising crime. Similar system are already being trialled in other areas such as Avon and Somerset, and in other countries. The Met was, however, already facing legal challenges under the Human Rights Act from Big Brother Watch over the force's use of automated facial recognition at public events. 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/artificial-intelligence-could-save-met-30m-and-put-545-police-on-the-streets-a3896996.html

Writer: Justin Davenport
Publication: Evening Standard