Cheshire Police First UK Force Using AI to Identify Stalking Behaviours

Cheshire Police have become the first UK force to implement artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify stalking behaviours earlier during investigations. Funded by a £300,000 grant from the Police STAR Fund, the AI system analyzes incident reports in real time as victims speak to call handlers, flagging potential stalking cases for the Harm Reduction Unit (HRU) to review. This approach aims to detect stalking even if the term is not explicitly mentioned, improving early intervention and speeding up investigations. Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price emphasized the importance of modernizing policing with technology and expressed hope that this program could be adopted nationally to enhance victim protection and public confidence. Detective Chief Inspector Danielle Knox highlighted that while AI will not replace human judgment, it will enhance officers' ability to hold perpetrators accountable and protect victims. Cheshire Police currently handle about 10 stalking cases daily, with the HRU manually reviewing reports, and the new AI is expected to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of these efforts.