Harnessing the power of AI to tackle knife crime

An artificial intelligence-powered knife database, created through a collaboration between the Metropolitan Police and Surrey University, is enabling officers to match dangerous weapons using images taken in often dark and difficult conditions; a dashboard explaining how the knife recognition system works could soon be rolled out nationwide, as the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser reports.

The Metropolitan Police, working in collaboration with academics from Surrey University, are using artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle knife crime in London and prevent it in the first place.

The innovative project has harnessed the power of AI to accurately match a knife to a crime and trace its origin.

“
The details were used to create a core database of knives, but the knives were also photographed in different lighting, angles, alongside other objects and in different background conditions to replicate real life conditions.

By leveraging AI to identify which knives are being used in crime, they can collaborate with retailers via the Responsible Retailer Scheme to prevent future sales of such knives and target enforcement activity if needed.

According to Matt Turner, Chief Inspector at the Met and the driving force behind the project, one of the main barriers in solving knife crime has been not knowing the origin of the knives used in crimes.

Lees verder via policinginsight.com

Meer leren over radicalisering, whitecollar-crime en de bevoegdheden van de burgemeester op het gebied van OOV? Kom naar de HCB Seminars ‘Topsprekers in Veiligheid 2024’ op 6 november met Bram Sizoo, Bob Hoogenboom en Jan van der Grinten.