Plans have been revealed for police in Scotland to make greater use of artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies – to help inform officer deployment in crime hotspots.
Deputy chief constable Bex Smith outlined how Police Scotland is moving into a new era of intelligence led policing – to better “anticipate” where crimes are “likely to occur”, based on in-depth data analytics and AI-enabled predictive modelling.
Smith, the force’s lead on digital, data and transformation, told Futurescot’s Digital Justice & Policing Conference in Glasgow last week: “Our business plan sets out our intention to develop capabilities surrounding data science, artificial intelligence and analytics.”
“Through better use of data analytics, we’ll equip our workforce to identify patterns in order to more effectively anticipate where crimes are likely to occur, enabling targeted patrols and interventions and a broader understanding of crime challenges.”
The force is also planning to use technology to drive internal efficiencies.
“We will use technology to create efficient processes, streamlining the entry of data, improving quality and using automation to eliminate the need for re-keying, ensuring data is automatically transferred to systems that utilise it.”
Smith provided an update on the national rollout of body worn video camera technology, which reached its halfway milestone at the end of October.
Police Scotland started to equip officers with the technology – which is activated when police use their powers, for example during a stop and search, arrest of a suspect or when executing a warrant – in March, beginning in the Tayside region.
Within seven months, the number of officers now equipped with the cameras, which are mounted on officers’ uniforms, has reached more than 10,500, with the Edinburgh and Lothians region the latest to join the total.
The technology keeps videos stored for 30 days and then automatically deletes them unless the evidence captured is admissible in criminal proceedings.
Smith highlighted the benefits, in that context, of now being able to store and share that data in the national Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) platform, which allows evidence to be shared between police officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, court staff and judges.
“Body worn video can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions,” said Smith.
“The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers.”
While the force currently does not use live facial recognition (LFR) technology, there have been considerable benefits in using facial matching software to cut down on officers’ exposure to online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The Child Abuse Image Database (CAID) is a secure national database of images which allows forces like Police Scotland “retrospectively” to facial match against child abuse image databases to identify and safeguard victims.
“Biometrics and new technology make investigating child sexual exploitation and abuse faster and more effective and supports international efforts to remove images from the internet,” Smith said.
“Where it would have taken us three days to analyse 10,000 images, these can be reviewed in an hour through facial matching,” she added.
The intention, long term, is to introduce LFR technology to support policing in Scotland, but its use continues to be hotly debated, and the force has faced a backlash from human rights groups about potential infringements of civil liberties.
A recent motion passed at the annual SNP party conference called for primary legislation governing the use of LFR, similar to the EU’s AI Act, and which was later backed by the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner.
“These views will continue to inform our approach and will ensure our use of technology, as with other technologies, is governed by proportionate and high levels of scrutiny,” said Smith.
She added the process will be guided by the “rights-based pathway” developed by Police Scotland to oversee technology adoption, in response to learnings from the introduction of so-called “cyber kiosks” in 2020.
The move came as Manchester became the latest place in the UK to explore using LFR technology, following other forces including the Met Police in London and South Wales Police.
In Scotland, there has been a “national conversation” about the technology involving various human rights groups and interested parties, and although the Scottish Biometrics Code of Practice allows for the technology to be used in operational circumstances where it is deemed necessary, no firm decision has been taken on its deployment.
“We understand that people need assurance about how Police Scotland would use live facial recognition, in what circumstances, and with what checks and balances,” said Smith.
“So, although we have taken a big step forward with the conversation, there are many more steps to take, including further engagement with stakeholders and the public, including developing a business case and necessary financial support with policies and operating procedures that will include listening really carefully.”
The force is also taking part in a cross-government initiative to develop a “common data platform”, involving health, social care, education, justice and local government partners.
The intention, said Smith, is to break down data silos and use shared intelligence to “to create a co-ordinated, evidence-based intervention that addresses problems before they occur, identify risk early and prevent people from reaching crisis point”.
The Scottish Prevention Hub is a national collaboration between Public Health Scotland, Police Scotland, and the Edinburgh Futures Institute at Edinburgh University.
“Our approach will help to ensure that policing in Scotland retains the trust of the people that we serve,” said Smith. “That’s fundamental to the principles of policing by consent, and it’s important to know that public trust in policing in Scotland is strong.”
