TL;DR
Thames Valley Police and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have launched “Bobbi,” the UK’s first AI-powered police virtual assistant. The tool handles frequently asked questions whilst directing users to human operators for complex issues, aiming to free staff to focus on emergencies.
A New Kind of Bobby
The AI assistant interacts conversationally and uses the same guidelines and information available to human call handlers to provide suggestions and recommendations. Importantly, Bobbi is not designed for emergencies—users cannot report crimes or use the technology as an alternative to the 999 line.
“You cannot use the technology to report a crime or as an alternative to the emergency 999 line,” a spokesperson for the forces confirmed. “Bobbi has been tested by over 200 people during its development, including by representatives from victim care groups and independent scrutiny panel members.”
When Bobbi cannot answer a question—or when a user prefers human interaction—they are automatically redirected to a real-life operator.
Complementing, Not Replacing
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds described the trial as a “really exciting time” and emphasised that the technology aims to complement existing channels rather than replace them.
“Empathy, common sense and that intangible gut instinct are some of the many human skills that need to guide our interactions with the public, particularly in their time of need,” Dodds explained. “By providing quick responses to commonly asked, non-emergency questions, Bobbi will enhance our service to our communities, ensuring that every member of the public can get the help they need, whenever they need it.”
The assistant remains a work in progress, with experienced staff working to address bugs and ensure regulatory compliance.
Looking Forward
This trial represents a cautious approach to AI in public services—using automation for routine queries whilst preserving human judgment for sensitive matters. If successful, similar implementations could emerge across other UK police forces and public service organisations facing resource pressures.
Source: Sky News