Cheshire Police to use artificial intelligence (AI) 'in every aspect of work where it proves beneficial'

By Belinda Ryan - Local Democracy Reporter

9th Oct 2024 | Local News

Cheshire Police will be using AI technology in every aspect of work where it proves beneficial, as part of the new commissioner's plan to modernise the force.

Cllr Kuldeep Dhillon (Warrington BC, Lab) said other forces were using AI to catch drivers who were breaking the law, such as using mobile phones illegally.

He told Friday's meeting of the police and crime panel: "The number of people who lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Cheshire rose from 20 in 2022 to 26 in 2023.

"Some of these may have been preventable with safer driving."

Cheshire Police and Cheshire PCC HQ, Winsford. (Image - Congleton Nub News)

Cllr Dhillon asked police and crime commissioner Dan Price: "Would you support the use of AI technology like this in Cheshire Police or do you see any issues with the use of AI for Cheshire Police?"

Mr Price said: "The introduction of AI technology in this instance would be an operational decision for the chief constable."

He added: "Modernising will be a key theme of my police and crime plan, and therefore I do want to pioneer new technology and learn from best practice within policing, both regionally and nationally.

"The use of AI technology is something that I am keen to discuss with the chief constable, and hope that such technology will provide greater efficiencies throughout the organisation."

Dan Price was elected in May 2024 as Cheshire's Police Commissioner. He is the third person to take on the role, and the second for the Labour Party. (Image - PCC)

When Cllr Mike Jones (CWAC, Con) asked whether new technology might be better deployed for other uses than road safety, Mr Price replied: "The police and crime plan will obviously cover the entirety of the constabulary's work, so when I talk about the use of AI, I do mean in every possible area where it could be used."

Cllr Peter Lloyd-Jones (Halton BC, Lab) asked how drones would be of any benefit in detecting offenders in Macclesfield or other parts of Cheshire if the unit was based at Ellesmere Port.

Mr Price said the force had two units with vehicles which could be deployed anywhere in the county.

He added: "Police forces are using drone technology where they would previously have used helicopter technology because it provides much better value to the taxpayers."

Gemma Shepherd-Etchells, Cheshire Police and Crime Panel (CWAC)

Gemma Shepherd-Etchells said there were implications for the use of any new technology.

"Will you also scrutinise Cheshire Police's use of this to ensure, for instance, that it's not infringing on anybody's individual human rights or things like that?" she asked.

Mr Price replied: "Absolutely. And I would expect trials for new technology to initially also start with pilots.

"I don't believe we would rush to buy a huge amount of new technology, which we couldn't prove through a pilot model that it was effective and best value for the public purse."