A government-backed competition will attempt to stitch together fragmented policing data across England and Wales to create an AI-driven, real-time crime map able to detect, track and ultimately predict concentrations of offending.
The Concentrations of Crime Data Challenge, delivered by UK Research and Innovation and funded through the £500 million R&D Missions Accelerator, begins with £4 million to produce prototypes by April 2026. If successful, the system could be operational nationwide by 2030.
Officials say the map would draw on datasets held by police forces, local authorities and social services to highlight where offences such as anti-social behaviour, theft, knife crime and violent assaults are clustering or at risk of spreading. The aim is to help officers direct resources more effectively and to enable preventative interventions.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described the initiative as an example of “cutting-edge technology like AI” improving lives by enhancing safety, while Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson called it “a powerful tool” complementing wider measures. The project builds on existing Home Office work, including hotspot mapping for knife crime and the Safer Streets programme.
The challenge seeks to overcome long-standing obstacles to data-sharing and interoperability between the 43 police forces. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has argued that the force structure is “not fit for purpose,” while industry figures warn that inconsistent data labelling and incompatible systems still hinder cross-force working.
Civil society organisations have welcomed the initiative but urged safeguards. St Giles chief executive Tracey Burley said technology must not unfairly profile communities and should be paired with proven early-intervention work. Neighbourhood Watch chief executive John Hayward-Cripps said the map could help people feel safer if used to guide local policing, while Rebecca Bryant of Resolve called the challenge “a landmark moment for innovation in community safety.”
Alongside the competition, nine new Policing Academic Centres of Excellence are due to open from October 2025 to boost analytical capacity, and techUK has refreshed its partnership with the Police Digital Service to support procurement and interoperability.
Challenges remain around legal frameworks, data-sharing agreements and evaluation of real-world impact. Policymakers must also decide whether technology can deliver interoperability within the current policing structure or whether deeper reform is needed.
If the prototypes demonstrate value and safeguards are in place, the programme could give police and councils a far clearer, timely picture of where to intervene — preventing victimisation and reinforcing public confidence. Ministers argue that with rigorous governance, independent evaluation and community engagement, the UK can position itself as a leader in responsible AI for public safety.
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