Home Office’s major police tech investment

According to a statement from the Home Office, up to £70 million of the money will be invested across 2018/19, in four major national police-led programmes. These consist of the ‘national enabling’ and ‘specialist capabilites’ programmes, as well as the digital policing portfolio and ‘transforming forensics’.

These are expected to deliver cash savings, as well as improving efficiency by - for example - freeing up officers to remain on the frontline rather than going back to the station.

Speaking of the fund, minister for policing and the fire service Nick Hurd said: “Criminals don’t stand still, and neither should our police forces. We’re determined to support police leaders in creating a modern, agile and responsive police service.

“The Police Transformation Fund is delivering real change in policing, and this new funding will continue to help forces improve efficiency and tackle threats like serious and organised crime.”

The Home Office has also announced 15 successful ‘local’ bids to the fund, totalling around £42.7 million. The initiative was originally launched in May of 2016.