UK Police Used AI to Dig Through 1.4TB of Evidence — Here's What They Found

British police are now deploying artificial intelligence to process large amounts of digital evidence in complex criminal investigations, dramatically reducing the time required to analyse data. In one major case, officers processed 1.4 terabytes of data from confiscated smartphones with an AI application that can filter through messages, photos, and location data much faster than traditional ones.

The operation marked a significant shift in modern policing, as detectives confront increasingly large volumes of digital material linked to organised crime and fraud.

A Fraud Investigation Overwhelmed by Data

The case involved a fraud gang charged with the theft of about £800,000 through over 3,000 cash machine withdrawals across various locations in England and Romania.

When detectives confiscated around two dozen smartphones linked to the suspects, they found a huge amount of digital evidence amounting to approximately 1.4TB, which is equivalent to hundreds of thousands of books.

Leveraging traditional techniques, detectives may have to spend months and even years reviewing such a dataset. Rather, investigators resorted to an AI system called Nectar, supplied by the US-based technology company Palantir, to assist in the analysis of the data.

Communications were scanned and translated with the tool, and the relationships among suspects were identified, as well as possible criminal activity hidden within the data.

What the AI Actually Discovered

Using the AI system, officers were able to read and translate over 100,000 messages on the seized phones in one day, which was normally far from possible and would have required a high cost.

The analysis showed the relationship between the suspects, tracked movements across locations, and identified almost 120 possible crimes in the dataset.

Investigators said the system scanned images and text messages as well for references to drugs, guns, and ATM activity, while developing live visual maps linking people, communications, and evidence.

Ultimately, the investigation led to the arrest and conviction of six men, demonstrating how AI-assisted analysis can accelerate complex cases when digital evidence is overwhelming.

AI Is Meant to Assist And Not Replace Detectives

Officials of the police emphasise that AI technologies are not meant to substitute the traditional way of policing, but they should be used as an assistant to the detectives. According to Dan James, the programme manager at the unit, 'it's not Robocop.'

'It's about how we can make our investigators more efficient,' he added, highlighting that the goal is to make officers efficient and not automate their decisions.

Human investigators still verify leads, interpret findings, and carry out arrests. At present, outputs from the AI system are used only during investigations and not directly as evidence in court proceedings.

Authorities also say the technology does not allow the external provider to access police data or train systems on it, an assurance aimed at addressing privacy concerns surrounding the use of such tools.

Growing Adoption And Growing Scrutiny

The use of AI in policing is expanding across the UK. Tools supplied by Palantir are already being used by multiple police forces, and the government has pledged more than £115 million to support the development and rollout of AI technologies across all forces in England and Wales.

However, the technology has sparked debate among lawmakers and civil liberties groups. Critics warn that large-scale data analysis systems could raise privacy issues and call for stronger oversight and transparency before wider adoption.