Police face cuts after mayor blocks AI tech deal

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has warned of significant cuts to frontline policing and officer numbers following London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to block a £50m AI technology deal with US company Palantir. The Met had proposed using Palantir’s AI tools to speed up criminal investigations and improve efficiency, including automating tasks like searching through reports or phone data, which could have reduced 500 roles. The mayor’s office, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), stated it was not satisfied the deal offered value for money and raised concerns about Palantir’s ethics, despite the Met’s procurement process being deemed legally compliant. Sir Mark’s report to the London Policing Board described a ‘stark’ situation, noting the force already faces a £125m funding gap next financial year and has lost 3,300 officers and staff over two years. Without the Palantir deal, the Met must now explore ‘tough choices,’ including stopping services, reducing teams, or altering how policing is delivered. Sir Mark emphasized that any new procurement process to replace the deal could take months, leaving the force in a precarious position. He warned, ‘We cannot just hope for the best,’ as the decision directly impacts policing delivery across London. Palantir’s software has previously aided other UK police forces, such as identifying 1,000 women in Bedfordshire linked to partners with histories of domestic violence in a single year. The company also claims its AI helped Scotland Yard address internal corruption in a pilot program. However, Palantir has faced criticism for its work with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Israeli military, raising ethical concerns for public contracts. A spokesperson for Mayor Khan said he supports the Met using modern technology but insisted the decision was based on ensuring value for money. Meanwhile, reports suggest Palantir may sue the mayor over the blocked deal. The Met’s proposed contract with Palantir UK was worth £25.3m for 2026-27, with an optional one-year extension of £24.8m, aimed at improving investigations and force culture.