U.K. Invests US$130M in Police Technology
14th Aug 2018
The U.K. government is investing more than £100 million (US$130 million) of the Police Transformation Fund (PTF) in projects designed to prepare police forces to adapt to the challenges of the future.
The Home Secretary approved up to £70 million (US$91 million) for investment during 2018 to 2019 in four national major police-led programs covering forces in England and Wales and to manage the portfolio of projects to ensure maximum benefits are shared among forces.
The programs will transform how police use technology, make it easier for the public to engage with police online and boost capacity to deal with major threats. This will help support the police in preventing and combating existing serious crime and being better equipped to deal with new types of crime.
The Home Office also announced 15 successful bids to the fund, totaling £42.7 million (US$55.5 million) during 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020.
“Criminals don’t stand still, and neither should our police forces. We’re determined to support police leaders in creating a modern, agile and responsive police service,” said Minister for Policing and the Fire Service Nick Hurd.
The four police-led national programs are working to deliver a unified IT system, resource sharing in key crime areas, a single online hub for digital policing, and improving biometrics and digital forensics. Funding will be released in stages to the programs subject to progress in delivery to provide ongoing assurance of this major investment.
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