Police chiefs gather in London for cyber crime summit

Leading Police and Crime and Crime Commissioners gathered in London for a special summit to discuss the challenges posed by AI, cyber-crime and digital policing.

The debate, chaired by Steven George-Hilley of Centropy PR, included speeches from key figures in the technology, cyber and analytics industry, sharing insights and best practice.

Guest speakers included Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley, Matthew Scott, PCC for Kent, and Lisa Townsend, PCC for Surrey, who shared their insights on the challenges facing front line officers and digital investigations.

John Lucey, VP EMEA North at digital intelligence firm Cellebrite said: “It was fantastic to engage with leading PCCs on their forces’ challenges in tackling cybercrime and the latest advancements in digital policing. While our dedicated police forces remain steadfast in their commitment to public safety, they are under immense pressure to manage vast amounts of complex data—placing a significant strain on back-office resources.

Lucey continued, “That’s why it is crucial for the technology industry to collaborate closely with law enforcement, developing and deploying AI, analytics, and digital solutions that streamline evidence collection and analysis, ultimately freeing up officers to focus on frontline policing.”

Meanwhile Russ Grant, Secure Access Director EMEA for Absolute Security said: “Secure and reliable remote access to critical information is essential for police forces, which handle some of the most sensitive data imaginable. Officers rely on seamless access to key systems to make informed decisions, respond swiftly to incidents, and manage complex device estates effectively. Without secure, reliable technology, investigations can be delayed, evidence can be compromised, and public trust can be eroded. A single instance of lost access—whether due to a cyberattack, device failure, or data breach—could derail operations and put cases at risk. That’s why it’s crucial for forward-thinking forces to invest in resilient, secure systems that ensure officers have the information they need, where and when they need it.”

Analytics expert Stuart Harvey, CEO, Datactics added, “Police forces oversee the collection and management of huge volumes of extremely complex data, almost all of it highly confidential and crucial to investigations. This event was a great opportunity to explore how key forces are approaching this challenge and the role AI and analytics can play in improving the performance of police work, rooting out duplications, mis-classifications and errors, and giving officers a clear picture for accurate decision-making.”