Tories Condemn Labour's AI Chatbot Proposal for Police Services
The Conservative Party has issued a stark warning about Labour's controversial plan to introduce artificial intelligence 'chat bots' for screening non-urgent calls to police forces across England and Wales. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has voiced serious concerns that this technological approach could lead to victims of crime enduring frustrating and 'pointless' online conversations instead of receiving proper police attention.
Government's White Paper Proposes AI Integration
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood published a new police reform White Paper on Monday that outlines proposals for implementing artificial intelligence systems within police services. The document suggests rolling out AI 'chat bots' specifically designed to 'create efficiencies in triaging non-urgent online queries' from members of the public. Additionally, police 999 control rooms would incorporate 'AI-assisted operator services' to help call handlers manage tasks more effectively.
Ms Mahmood has argued that broader implementation of artificial intelligence technology could save millions of hours in police time annually. The government estimates that using AI for administrative tasks – including analysing CCTV footage and recording crime reports – might save up to six million policing hours each year, equivalent to the work of approximately 3,000 full-time officers.
Conservative Opposition and Public Concerns
Chris Philp has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the proposals, stating: 'Shabana Mahmood is desperately trying to fill the hole she has left behind with rapidly falling police numbers. Victims of crime want a proper response from the police, not some inane chatbot. We need crimes to be investigated and criminals arrested, not pointless chat.'
The Shadow Home Secretary further emphasised that 'the Home Office has not thought through all the risks' and warned that 'Shabana Mahmood's plans will let down victims.' He has urged the government to 'urgently reverse the drop in police numbers which she is presiding over' instead of pursuing technological solutions.
Public experience with commercial chatbots used by banks, utility companies and retailers has often resulted in frustration, with customers finding themselves trapped in conversational 'loops' or blocked by technical glitches. This history raises questions about whether similar systems would function effectively in sensitive policing contexts where clear communication is crucial.
Expert Caution and Implementation Risks
David Spencer, head of crime and justice at the Policy Exchange think-tank and a former detective chief inspector with the Metropolitan Police, offered measured commentary on the proposals. He noted: 'Although there is potential from new technologies like AI bots to make policing more efficient and better at fighting crime, the implementation must be done with great care.'
Mr Spencer referenced the recent West Midlands Police controversy as a cautionary example, stating: 'The West Midlands Police Maccabi Tel Aviv scandal shows how badly wrong AI can go when these tools are used by people who don't know what they're doing.' Earlier this month, West Midlands chief constable Craig Guildford resigned after revelations that evidence used to justify banning Israeli fans from a football fixture had been based on false material from an artificial intelligence search.
Broader Police Reorganisation and Officer Numbers
The chatbot proposal forms part of a wider police reorganisation plan that includes reducing the number of forces in England and Wales from the current 43 to potentially as low as 12. This restructuring would also establish a National Police Service to handle serious and complex crime investigations alongside counter-terrorism operations.
Labour maintains that this reorganisation will free officers currently engaged in administrative roles for redeployment to frontline positions. However, critics have expressed concern about the substantial initial costs and the significant amount of senior officers' time that such a major shake-up would require over several years.
The debate occurs against a backdrop of declining police numbers. Home Office data released last week revealed that the number of officers in 'visible frontline operational' roles in England and Wales has fallen to 67,085 – the lowest level in six years. This represents a decrease of more than 5,000 'full-time equivalent' officers during the year to March, most of which occurred under the current Labour government.
This decline contrasts sharply with Labour's election manifesto commitment to put '13,000 additional neighbourhood police and community PCSOs' back on the beat. The current frontline officer numbers represent the lowest since 2018-2019 when totals fell to a record low of 63,000, prompting the previous Conservative government to launch a recruitment drive for 20,000 additional officers.
The Conservatives met their recruitment pledge in 2023, with visible frontline roles peaking at just under 77,000 officers in March that year. However, this number subsequently fell by 4,700 over the following twelve months, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining police staffing levels.
