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The Metropolitan Police Service is exploring the use of artificial intelligence to support the rapid grading and triage of child sexual abuse imagery, as part of a wider effort to improve safeguarding and reduce officer exposure to traumatic material.
The technology could enable investigators to identify victims more quickly, while significantly reducing the need for officers and staff to manually review distressing content. Traditionally, reviewing seized material can take hours, with images graded into categories A, B and C depending on severity.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said the nature of offending is evolving rapidly. “The scale and complexity of child sexual abuse is changing, particularly online, and we must change how we respond,” he said.
The force is currently assessing how AI could analyse large volumes of material to flag potential new victims, helping officers prioritise cases and accelerate safeguarding action. It is also testing complementary technologies, including tools capable of reviewing and risk-assessing more than 600,000 messages in under an hour.
“Speed matters when it comes to safeguarding children.”
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes
The move comes as online child sexual abuse and exploitation continues to rise. The Met investigated more than 5,400 offences in the past year and safeguarded over 1,300 children, with such crimes increasing by 25% year-on-year. The force currently manages more than 12% of cases nationally.
Alongside technological developments, the Met has announced a £10 million investment in new, child-focused Video Recorded Interview (VRI) suites across London. A total of 23 locations have been selected for refurbishment, with six already complete and Plumstead Police Station acting as the pilot site.
The redesigned suites aim to create calmer, more supportive environments for children giving evidence, incorporating adjustable furniture, improved communication aids and age-appropriate resources. Locations include high-demand stations such as Brixton Police Station, Holborn Police Station and Bethnal Green Police Station.
Jukes said the dual approach of technology and environment is critical. The use of AI, he added, “could also significantly reduce the amount of time officers and staff are exposed to the most distressing material, while ensuring that human judgement, strong oversight and victim care remain at the heart of every investigation.”
Any deployment of AI will operate within strict legal and ethical frameworks, with specialist officers retaining decision-making responsibility at all stages.
London’s Victims’ Commissioner Andrea Simon welcomed the investment in interview facilities. “Safe, well-designed environments can make a real difference in building trust,” she said, particularly during the early stages of the criminal justice process.
However, she cautioned that facilities alone are not enough. “Improving facilities is only one part of the picture,” Simon said, adding that it remains “critical that victims are treated with care, dignity and support throughout every interaction with the police.”
The programme forms part of the Met’s wider children’s strategy, which includes training thousands of officers in trauma-informed communication and expanding specialist child exploitation teams, as the force seeks to strengthen its response to one of the fastest-growing areas of crime.
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