The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has become a key hub for the UK government’s digital operations since the new administration took office in July 2024. This includes taking over responsibilities for the Government Digital Service (GDS) and the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), which were previously managed by the Cabinet Office. However, it seems the government’s reshuffling of its digital functions is not yet complete, with further changes likely on the horizon.
On 19 November 2024, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government’s plans to address the declining public confidence in UK policing. She pointed out that policing has struggled to keep up with the complexities of modern crime and that technology is a crucial part of the solution. The government intends to reform policing to make it more efficient and ensure that local police forces can offer better services to the public.
One of the key proposals is the creation of a National Centre of Policing (NCoP), which will be tasked with overseeing important support services like IT and forensics that local police forces can rely on. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize the police, enabling them to effectively respond to the challenges posed by evolving criminal activities.
The Home Office already plays a significant role in UK policing technology through its support for the Police Digital Service (PDS), a privately owned entity responsible for delivering the National Policing Digital Strategy. For the financial year 2023–2024, the Home Office provided PDS with a £32 million grant, though this funding is not guaranteed for future years, depending on ongoing needs.
UK Government Advances Policing Tech with Proposed National Centre Amid Digital Reshuffle Challenges
Despite receiving substantial funding, PDS has faced financial difficulties. In 2024, the organization reported a loss of over £1 million after posting a profit of £2.4 million the previous year. PDS has also faced criticism for its promotion of US-based cloud services, which often conflict with UK data protection laws, leading to calls for reforms. It is suggested that PDS’s role could be absorbed into the new NCoP to streamline efforts.
Owen Sayers, an independent security consultant, predicted that the new Labour government would seek to reform PDS. He now believes that the responsibilities of PDS may be transferred to the NCoP, as the Home Office looks to consolidate the country’s policing technology services. However, the financial challenges and controversial adoption of US cloud services by PDS could complicate this transition.
While PDS’s future remains uncertain, its interim CEO, Tony Eastaugh, expressed support for the creation of the NCoP, calling it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to modernize policing. Despite this enthusiasm, there is no clear direction on how PDS and the NCoP will work together. The overlap between the two could lead to inefficiencies, and it remains to be seen how their roles will be defined.
At the National Police Chiefs’ Council conference, Cooper emphasized the outdated state of UK policing IT systems, citing the 50-year-old Police National Computer (PNC) as an example. She introduced a program focused on collaboration and efficiency to reduce IT costs, which could then be reinvested into frontline policing. The program aims to ensure that technology used by police forces is more modern and interoperable, addressing the sector’s current technological shortcomings.
Technological advancements, such as generative AI, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing, present unique challenges for policing. Forces often struggle to keep up with rapid changes in technology, particularly when it comes to tackling cybercrime. Investigative and technical skills are needed to handle these crimes, but the police are often lacking the necessary resources and expertise to keep up with evolving criminal methods.
Experts like Sayers believe that the future of policing technology should take inspiration from past successes, such as the “Joined-Up Justice” program from the early 2000s, which linked the police and court systems. He advocates for developing technology that is built by UK providers and optimized for local laws, reducing reliance on US-based cloud services.
Such a move would ensure better data security and compliance with UK legal requirements. The NCoP could play a crucial role in this transformation, helping to drive the modernization of the UK’s policing systems.
