AI anti-nuisance call technology could save police £8.5 million a year

The Home Office estimates that AI software deployed on the police 101 non-emergency line could save forces up to £8.5 million a year by filtering out misdirected and nuisance calls. Around 20 per cent of the 20 million annual calls are intended for non-policing agencies, and the new system will automatically redirect non-police queries before callers enter a queue, with safeguards to prevent genuine police calls from being diverted.

AI anti-nuisance call technology could save police £8.5 million a year - Artificial intelligence software is being deployed to filter out misdirected and nuisance calls on the police 101 non-emergency line. - Around 20 per cent of the 20 million calls received annually are intended for non-policing agencies such as local councils. - The new AI system will identify the reason for a call and automatically redirect non-police queries before the caller enters a queue. - The Home Office estimates the technology will save the police up to £8.5 million each year, allowing funds to be reinvested into tackling street crime. - Officials confirmed there would be robust safeguards are in place to prevent callers requiring genuine police help from being diverted.