The AI will take your statement now: Jersey police streamline witness interviews and boost forensics

Jersey police have successfully integrated artificial intelligence into their crime-fighting operations, with AI-powered tools now helping transcribe witness interviews and enhance digital forensics capabilities. The States of Jersey Police Authority’s annual report highlights how these technological advances are delivering “long-term efficiencies and enhanced decision-making” while maintaining human oversight of all AI-assisted processes.

What you should know: The Jersey police force began testing AI transcription technology in March to streamline witness interview processing and improve operational efficiency.

• Police Chief Robin Smith emphasized that while AI promises enhanced capabilities, all processes remain under human supervision to ensure accuracy and accountability.
• The technology is part of broader efforts to address mounting challenges in digital forensics, where increasing data volumes and case complexity require “considerable resources and expertise.”

The bigger picture: Jersey’s police service faces growing operational pressures that extend beyond technological solutions, with significant increases in youth-related incidents straining resources.

• Missing person reports totaled 741 cases in 2024, with “virtually all” involving young people on the island.
• Youth crime incidents cost approximately £1.8 million in 2024, representing a substantial financial burden on the police service.
• Road safety remains a persistent challenge, with over 1,000 speeding incidents recorded and 54 serious injury crashes reported.

Key crime statistics: The annual report revealed concerning trends across multiple crime categories that highlight ongoing public safety challenges.

• Vehicle crime increased by 28% compared to previous periods, indicating a significant uptick in automotive-related offenses.
• Police responded to 675 non-injury related crashes throughout 2024, demonstrating the volume of traffic incidents requiring police attention.
• The high number of missing person cases involving young people has prompted calls for “continued focus and resources” in youth support services.

Why this matters: Jersey’s adoption of AI technology represents a practical approach to modern policing challenges, balancing technological innovation with human judgment while addressing resource constraints in an era of increasing case complexity and data volumes.