Web Desk
Amid criticism from government inspectors over delays in investigating crimes, Avon and Somerset Police have defended their approach and outlined new strategies, including the use of artificial intelligence.
The force came under fire in February when His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services released its annual PEEL report.
The review flagged long delays in assigning criminal cases to investigators, with some supervisors overseeing up to 170 unallocated cases.
The report warned: “Without timely allocation, clear investigation plans, and strong supervision, the constabulary cannot provide adequate service to victims.”
Force Responds with Staff Boost and New Tech
Chief Constable Sarah Crew responded to these concerns during a recent Q&A session hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody.
She acknowledged a significant increase in crime across the region, especially in complex cases.
“In 2024, we dealt with 13,000 more crimes than the previous year,” said Ms. Crew. “This naturally impacts how quickly we can classify and allocate investigations.”
To address the issue, the force has invested in recruiting and training more officers, particularly in Crime Investigation Departments (CID).
“We’ve focused on having the right resources at the start of the process, so cases are recorded and assigned more efficiently,” she added.
Rising Serious Crime Burden
Chief Constable Crew revealed that the average caseload per officer has tripled over the past decade. “In 2014, officers handled about 13 crimes per year. In 2023, that number jumped to 40.”
She also highlighted dramatic increases in certain offences:
Internet child abuse saw a 1,500% rise – approximately 1,250 additional complex cases.
Rape and serious sexual assaults surged by 207%, equating to around 4,400 extra investigations.
She explained that while some cases remain technically “unallocated,” they are still under supervision.
“Every new report is immediately reviewed by a sergeant to ensure urgent action, such as victim protection, is taken,” she said.
Improvements are already showing. “The average time for allocating a rape case is now down to 1.8 days,” Crew noted.
“That’s a huge improvement, especially given the rising volume of such serious crimes.”
Low Charge Rate Still a Concern
Commissioner Clare Moody acknowledged the force’s progress but pointed to public dissatisfaction, noting that only about 10% of reported crimes lead to a charge or caution.
Crew responded, “We understand the public’s frustration and are actively working to improve. Senior leaders are heavily focused on raising our investigative standards.”
Artificial Intelligence Offers a Helping Hand
Technology is now a key part of that strategy.
Avon and Somerset are the first police force in the northern hemisphere to trial Soze, an AI tool used in the southern hemisphere to process digital evidence.
“It pulls together social media, phone data, and CCTV footage to help investigators sort through vast amounts of information quickly,” said Crew.
“We’ve already had success in finding crucial evidence faster, helping us press charges more effectively.”
Another tool under trial uses algorithms to highlight cases with the highest likelihood of being solved, helping officers prioritize.
