Met to use AI for faster identification of child sexual abuse victims
£10 million is being invested in spaces that improve outcomes for child victims.
The Metropolitan Police Service is examining the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite the grading and prioritising of child sexual abuse imagery.
The aim is to enable investigators to quickly identify and safeguard victims without officers having to manually review distressing material.
AI could analyse large amounts of content to uncover unknown victims, allowing officers to focus their efforts where it is most needed.
This initiative is part of a wider £10 million investment aimed at improving outcomes for child victims of abuse.
Rising Online Abuse Cases
Over the past year, the Met investigated more than 5,400 child sexual abuse offences, safeguarding more than 1,300 children for online child sexual abuse and exploitation (OCSAE) crimes.
Online abuse is among the fastest-growing crime types, with OCSAE cases increasing by 25% year-on-year. The Met manages over 12% of these cases nationwide.
Using AI, potential new victims could be identified earlier, reducing the time between detection and intervention, and lessening the exposure of officers to traumatic content.
Legal and Ethical Frameworks
The use of AI will operate within strict legal and ethical guidelines, with specialist officers retaining decision-making authority.
The Met is currently testing this technology across its force and is in talks with numerous companies about implementing AI solutions.
£10 Million Programme for New Interview Suites
As part of this effort, the Met is also funding the rollout of new Visual Recorded Interview (VRI) suites across London.
These suites are designed to make children feel safe and empowered when giving evidence during investigations.
Scheduled for completion by the end of the year, 23 locations, including high-demand stations such as Brixton, Holborn, and Bethnal Green, have been selected for renovation.
Six sites are now complete, with Plumstead Police Station chosen as the pilot.
Each suite includes features such as adjustable furniture, expanded spaces for communication aids, and welcoming environments.
These developments are part of the Met’s wider Children’s Strategy, which promotes a 'child-first' approach in policing.