Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Efficiency: Technology

Monday 9 February 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is investing 140 million in technology to enhance police efficiency and community safety.
  • Government is working with the National Crime Agency and Royal Mail to detect illicit substances, including exploring methods to adapt opioid detection for synthetic cathinones.
  • Home Secretary is willing to engage with big corporate retailers to improve information sharing and combat shoplifting.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Policing & Resources Science & Technology
Context

The question is prompted by the need to increase police efficiency using modern technology.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to use technology to increase police efficiency?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We are investing a record £140 million in state-of-the-art technology to make our communities safer, including the roll-out of the live facial recognition technology that is already transforming policing. Investing in technology means more time for the police to be where we want them, which is out on the streets fighting and deterring crime in our communities.

Answered
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Q2 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Crime & Law Enforcement Science & Technology
Context

The question is prompted by the harmful effects of synthetic cathinones in Stoke-on-Trent and the need for better detection methods.

Question

Can the Secretary of State provide an update on her work with the National Crime Agency and Royal Mail to detect illicit substances using technology, and advise whether existing opioid detection methods can be adapted or applied to synthetic cathinones?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the scourge of synthetic cathinones. Let me assure her that the work of the National Crime Agency, Royal Mail and others continues apace. The use of synthetic drugs is a concerning development in the global drugs market, but this Government and law enforcement are taking action. We continue to innovate and seek new methods for screening and identifying drugs using emerging technologies, including AI, to tackle this challenge.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Adaptation of existing opioid detection methods specifically for synthetic cathinones was not addressed in detail.

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Q3 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question is prompted by the inefficiency of current technology used in retail for reporting shoplifting incidents to the police.

Question

Will the Home Secretary encourage and reach out to big corporate retailer chains, so we have a seamless flow of information to drive down shoplifting?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

I am very pleased that the hon. Member raises that issue, and I am happy to look at the detail of what he has seen in his constituency. Let me assure him that there is a lot of work happening with retailers, and I know that different platforms are being adopted. The pace of technological innovation in this area is very quick indeed, and we will do everything we can to make sure all these systems are joined up and that the police are in the best possible position to go after the criminals as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments or timelines for reaching out to retailers were not provided.

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