By 2030, the government aims to have a detailed, real-time, and interactive crime map that can detect, track, and predict where serious offences like knife crime are likely to occur
The UK government has announced an ambitious new plan to use cutting-edge AI and mapping technology to predict and prevent crime across England and Wales. The initiative, spearheaded by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, is part of a broader strategy to proactively stop criminals before they can strike.
By 2030, the government aims to have a detailed, real-time, and interactive crime map that can detect, track, and predict where serious offences like knife crime are likely to occur. The technology will also be used to spot early warning signs of anti-social behaviour before it escalates.
The project, known as the “Concentrations of Crime Data Challenge,” will be delivered by UKRI, a public body that directs research and innovation funding. It tasks teams from businesses and universities with developing a solution that can be operational within seven years.
The system will use advanced AI to analyse data from a variety of sources, including police records, local councils, and social services. By examining criminal histories, previous incident locations, and the behavioural patterns of known offenders, the map will identify crime concentrations. This intelligence will allow law enforcement to strategically direct resources and intervene to prevent further victims.
New Tool for a Safer Streets Mission
The initiative is backed by an initial EUR 4 million government investment, with teams expected to deliver initial prototypes by April 2026. This milestone is a key part of the government’s “Safer Streets Mission,” which aims to halve knife crime and Violence Against Women and Girls within a decade.
During a visit to the Metropolitan Police, Peter Kyle said the government was “putting [AI] to work for victims over vandals, the law-abiding majority over the lawbreakers.” He stressed the importance of giving police the tools to “stay one step ahead of potential dangers.”
Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, added that as criminal networks evolve with technology, so too must the police response. “We are giving police the tools they need to make our streets safer,” she said, noting that the crime map would be a powerful complement to the recent rollout of live facial recognition vans.
The challenge builds on existing Home Office work and is part of the government’s broader “Plan for Change.” This includes a commitment to deploying an additional 13,000 police officers, PCSOs, and special constables into neighbourhood roles, ensuring every community has a named, contactable officer to address local issues.