Ellie Cox: How technology can deliver safer streets

Cllr Ellie Cox is a councillor in Merton and a former 2024 parliamentary and London Assembly candidate.

Policing is at a crossroads. While criminals exploit technology to commit increasingly sophisticated crimes, many police forces still rely on outdated tools, wasting valuable time on paperwork instead of protecting communities. The solution isn’t just digitalising law enforcement—it’s smarter collaboration. Public-private partnerships can embed security into everyday life, from retailers designing theft-resistant products to AI-driven crime prevention. At the same time, technology can help rebuild public trust by improving victim support through real-time updates and increasing public collaboration with the police, ensuring citizens have a say in how technology is used ethically to fight crime in their local area.

Yet, during a recent Council scrutiny panel, I was surprised to learn that our borough’s Met police officers only received laptops during Covid, having relied on pocket notebooks before to record incidents and take statements. If we want safer streets, we must modernise policing—embracing technology that cuts red tape, builds public trust, and prevents crime before it happens. To illustrate its potential, I’ve imagined a ‘day in the life’ of tech-enabled police officers in London.

“Benny, ready to go?” Ugo’s voice cuts through the hubbub of the station; we are headed to a street police hub for Modern Policing Week. I check my radio, now equipped with secure communication and location tracking via London’s Internet of Things (IoT) network, ensuring faster responses and improving officer safety. With my body-worn camera active, it’s ready to stream footage directly to the control room, helping officers make quicker decisions and be accountable for their actions.

Before heading out, I grab my ruggedised tablet and log into my shift via an app. Digital tools have revolutionised frontline policing, allowing officers to record witness statements and send them to our central system on the spot, access case updates, and even attend virtual court hearings—all without being tied to a desk. This shift to ‘policing on the move’ keeps us visible in the community and ready to respond where we’re needed most.

As we exit the station, we pass the digital evidence team analysing video submissions from the public to identify suspects. The station, once overwhelmed with paperwork and officers manually inputting the same data across multiple police platforms, now relies on smart technologies to streamline operations. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) share data across software platforms, while Robotic Process Automation (RPA) automates repetitive tasks like data entry and case updates. These innovations not only accelerate response times but also free up officers to focus on solving crimes and supporting victims.

A car screeches past. “They’ve snatched my phone!” shouts a young man, his voice echoing down the street. Ugo swiftly activates the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system on her tablet, pulling up the vehicle’s registration in seconds and alerting nearby police units to intercept the vehicle. “Did you turn on your phone’s anti-theft features?” she asks. Phones now come with AI-powered theft detection, which uses sensors to track unusual movements or disconnection from networks, automatically locking the device and alerting law enforcement. Developed through public-private partnerships, this technology has significantly reduced the incentive to steal phones by making them harder to sell and easier to recover.

As I take the victim’s statement on my tablet, I send a push notification through the Community Protection Network app, instantly notifying nearby residents and businesses. This innovation, first used in Holland, allows witnesses to securely share photos or videos directly with us, turning a community into additional eyes on the scene. “You can track your case on the My Police app,” I explain, “and send updates anytime.” This not only keeps victims informed but also frees officers to focus on urgent calls.

The young lad hesitates. “Is it all just robots doing the policing now?” Ugo smiles. “Not at all. Technology supports us but doesn’t replace us. Policing is still about talking to people, gathering evidence, and using our instincts.”

We pass by a bike station bustling with commuters. Cycling, now the choice of travel for a third of Londoners, has seen a dramatic rise—but unfortunately, so has bike theft. To tackle this, new bikes come equipped with GPS trackers and smart locks that deter theft and make stolen bikes easier to recover. This innovation didn’t happen by chance; close collaboration between police and businesses ensured that theft prevention became part of the product design from the start. Similarly, partnerships with car manufacturers have introduced optional features customers can purchase, like GPS tracking and remote immobilisation to help prevent vehicle theft.

At the nearby tube station, officers are demonstrating predictive policing tools to curious pedestrians. “These systems use algorithms to analyse past crime data and predict where offences are likely to occur,” an officer explains, pointing to a digital map. While early use of predictive policing raised concerns, regular public consultations and audits now ensure the technology is fair, transparent, and guided by the community’s priorities.

As we walk, I notice the impact of smart street furniture, like motion-activated streetlights and illuminated crossings, in creating safer streets. These innovations, powered by IoT and 5G, adapt to the environment—lighting up darker areas or guiding pedestrians more effectively. Crucially, their design is shaped by feedback from residents, ensuring the technology meets local needs.

We arrive at the police street hub and join citizens engaging with officers about digital policing. “How has technology helped reduce gang crime?” one asks me.

“It helps us track and disrupt networks,” I reply. “ANPR identifies vehicles linked to gangs, while predictive policing highlights areas at risk of violence, allowing us to act proactively. Body-worn cameras also capture real-time evidence.” Ugo adds, “We now use advanced biometrics, like voice recognition and iris scans, alongside fingerprints and DNA, to identify suspects faster and more effectively. To protect civil liberties, all data is securely stored, regulated, and used only for lawful purposes.”

A shopper interjects, asking, “Officer, how do AI cameras help prevent shoplifting?”

“They’re smarter than regular CCTV,” I reply. “AI cameras can detect unusual actions like hiding items and alert staff instantly, so they can stop theft before it happens.”

“Doesn’t that invade privacy?” the shopper asks.

“No, these cameras focus on actions, not faces, so privacy is respected while helping stop theft.”

As the shift continues, concerns about cybercrime come up. Fraud, now nearly 50% of all reported crime in England and Wales, is a major issue. “How can technology protect me against fraud, in particular, cybercrime?”

I explain, “Police forces worldwide use AI to detect patterns in fraudulent activity, block phishing attempts, and monitor the dark web for stolen data. By working with cybersecurity experts, we also secure systems to prevent hacking and educate the public on avoiding scams.”

By investing in technology and adopting ethical policies, we can create safer, more connected communities. To unlock the full potential of digital policing, it’s crucial for the government to strengthen partnerships with businesses and develop solutions tailored to crime prevention. These innovations must respect privacy, promote transparency, and align with public priorities. Only by embracing technology and collaboration can we rebuild trust and create safer streets for all.