Cheshire Police Leading The Way With AI Technology

Cheshire Police Leads the Way with AI to Identify Stalking Behaviours Sooner

Cheshire Police has become the first force in the UK to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to help identify stalking behaviours at an earlier stage, following a successful £300,000 grant from the Police STAR (Science, Technology, Analysis and Research) Fund, secured by Dan Price, the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The new AI capability is being developed to analyse incident reports as they are created by police call handlers, even while victims are still on the line.

The system, trained using data from the HRU and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, will scan for patterns and behaviours associated with stalking, even if the word “stalking” is not mentioned by victims or witnesses.

If the AI detects warning signs, it flags the incident for specialist officers, enabling them to intervene sooner and potentially prevent escalation.

This early detection is expected to accelerate investigations, support victims more quickly, and help build stronger cases against perpetrators.

Driving Modernisation in Policing

Dan Price, the Police and Crime Commissioner, is committed to modernising Cheshire Police.

He stated:

“It’s vital that the Constabulary adopts technology and uses it to help tackle crime.

Modernising Cheshire Police is one of my key pillars in my Police and Crime Plan. I am making important strategic decisions to ensure technology is embraced by the Constabulary.”

Dan pointed out that in other regions where AI has been used to investigate crimes, it has proven to be “25 times more effective than an individual detective.”

Currently, about three-quarters of cases managed by the HRU result in a suspect being charged, and the hope is that AI will further increase conviction rates and public confidence in the police.

Looking Ahead

If this AI-led approach proves successful in Cheshire, there are ambitions for it to be rolled out to other police forces across the UK, helping more victims and setting a new standard for tackling stalking.

This initiative not only highlights Cheshire Police’s commitment to innovation but also demonstrates how technology can play a vital role in supporting victims and making communities safer.

Stay tuned to MIX56 for more news from the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.