Event round-up: For what comes next – shaping the future of justice and emergency services
The event showcased the committee’s achievements and highlighted the progress made across the three strategic priorities - AI, digital skills and procurement. It also celebrated advances in the VAWG and RASSO space and digital interoperability, while fostering open discussion about future directions and lessons learned.
On Wednesday 3 December, techUK’s Justice and Emergency Services (JES) programme hosted its end-of-year celebration in collaboration with the JES Management Committee. The afternoon brought together members and stakeholders to reflect on two years of progress, shared learning and cross-sector collaboration across policing, fire, justice and the tech community.
Dave Evans, the new head of teckUK’s Justice and Emergency Services Programme, introduced the event and provided an overview of the agenda to all attendees present.
Charlotte opened the session by highlighting how the committee has advanced collaboration, building momentum for partnerships and strengthening digital capabilities across fire, policing, and justice. She emphasised the need to champion SMEs, innovation, and interoperability while fostering cross-sector relationships to bridge the gap between public and private sectors.
Enrique emphasised the seven key missions to transform the future of justice and urged industry to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges across the sector. Some of the priority areas highlighted include strengthening prison security, deploying technology for community offender management, and improving court efficiency through law tech solutions.
Enrique encouraged industry to pitch innovative ideas across all seven missions, guided by three strategic approaches: leveraging existing innovations to avoid reinventing the wheel, adapting technologies already under development for other government departments, and creating solutions to fill critical gaps unique to the justice sector.
Panel discussion: demystifying AI adoption in policing
Will Lyne, Head of Economic and Cybercrime – Central Specialist Crime / NPCC AI portfolio
The panel highlighted how artificial intelligence is reshaping law enforcement in England and Wales, influencing both the types of crime encountered and the strategies used to address them. Panellists discussed how AI supports police in investigating offences, identifying suspects, and securing convictions, while also enabling a more proactive approach to crime prevention.
The conversation addressed the challenges of adopting AI within policing and underscored the value of collaboration with industry partners to help overcome these obstacles and drive future innovation. The panel concluded by announcing the publication of the Demystifying the adoption of AI in police forces across England and Wales paper by the AI subgroup.
Panel discussion: digital interoperability in justice and public safety
Simon Hall, techUK Interoperability in Justice and Public Safety Forum – Coeus Software
Scot Dunn, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, Humberside Police
The panel brought together industry leaders to discuss how interoperability can shape the future of justice and emergency services. Speakers explored the impact of national data reform and standards, the support available to police forces through maturity models, and the practical challenges of modernising legacy systems. They emphasised the importance of data quality, collaboration, and technology adoption, with insights on how suppliers and public sector organisations can work together to transition towards interoperability-first solutions.
The discussion highlighted opportunities for funding, the need to bridge gaps between technology and data capability, and the value of ecosystem-wide cooperation to deliver better services and decision-making.
techUK runs an Interoperability in Justice and Public Safety Forum that aims to advance conversations around improved data sharing, data quality, and the development of common standards. We are also working closely with PDS to ensure there is a standardised and shared definition of interoperability across the sector.
Callum highlighted the shift in the fire sector over the past year from a defensive posture to a more proactive approach, establishing a common level of cyber defence across all services to strengthen resilience. Collaboration with HMICFRS has ensured standards align nationally, while MHCLG has replaced the national recording system.
Looking ahead, AI is set to play a transformative role: supporting home fire safety checks, engaging communities, and providing tailored advice, even identifying vulnerable individuals in high-rise buildings through a national database. Building on the success of the Fire Innovation Forum with techUK, the NFCC aims to continue shaping national policy and explore innovative ideas to drive the sector forward.
Panel discussion: innovations and challenges in digital investigations for VAWG and RASSO
Naomi Bolton, techUK’s VAWG & RASSO Working Group - Telent
Claire Hammond, National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, NPCC
Giles Herdale, Independent Advisor on Data Ethics in Policing
Richard Meffen, Forensic Portfolio Lead, Police Digital Service
The panel explored recent advances and ongoing challenges in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) space. Speakers highlighted successful forensic and investigative practices, positive developments such as Operation Atlas, and the importance of equipping officers with the right digital skills.
The discussion addressed barriers to scaling digital approaches, the need for consistent capabilities across police forces, and considered how technology can better support prevention, detection, and prosecution, while emphasising the importance of maintaining privacy and victim safety.
Addressing VAWG and RASSO is a key focus of the JES programme, delivered through our dedicated VAWG and RASSO Working Group. This group provides a collaborative platform that connects industry with partners across the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Police Digital Service, police forces, and the VAWG Taskforce, ensuring coordinated action and shared insight.
Tony discussed how policing in 2025 focused on reforming digital services and shaping the future of technology delivery. NPCC DDaTCC has driven efforts to aggregate digital capabilities into a national policing body, relaunched the Police Digital Strategy with strong industry engagement, and co-hosted a successful Digital Innovation Summit last October.
Collaboration with the Home Office and techUK (through the newly established partnership) has strengthened decision-making and industry partnerships, while a newly drafted 10-year National Police Reform IT Strategy roadmap will set out how policing can work differently in this space. Looking ahead to 2026, some of the ambitions include the development of a Police AI Centre of Excellence to explore ethical adoption of AI across all 43 forces, supported by convergence of digital capabilities and a commitment to national investment.
Keynote address - Bethan Page-Jones, Home Office
Bethan emphasised the need for policing to adapt to an increasingly complex and fast-moving threat environment through the ethical and sustainable adoption of advanced technologies. Priorities include maximising procurement efficiencies across forces, integrating and exploiting data to connect criminal justice datasets, and expanding shared services at local, regional, and national levels.
Upcoming national changes, including the Policing Reform Whitepaper and proposals for a National Centre of Policing, aim to consolidate fragmented efforts, strengthen national capability, and enable innovation. She stressed that achieving these objectives will require unified governance, coherent funding strategies, and a consistent national approach.
Lizzie discussed the significant digital skills gaps across the justice and emergency services sector. To address this, JES Management Committee, through the digital skills subgroup, launched a central digital skills catalogue to consolidate existing resources offered by technology companies.
This initiative aims to provide frontline professionals in policing, fire, and justice with accessible opportunities to develop digital literacy. Strengthening these capabilities will enable the sector to harness technology effectively, enhance community protection, and deliver justice in an increasingly digital environment.
Adrian discussed the work of the procurement subgroup, which represents the full supplier landscape and advocates for a collaborative, win–win approach to procurement. Its work is closely aligned with the government’s Procurement Act 2023, which seeks to increase SME participation by recognising their agility, innovation, and value for money. Earlier this year, the subgroup published a guide paper which provided valuable tips to help JES suppliers navigate the new Procurement Act.
Allan concluded the session with a reflection on the partnerships the Committee has built over its two-year tenure, the progress achieved across key areas in the past year, and the opportunities ahead for deeper collaboration across policing, fire, justice, and the technology sector.
For more information or to get involved in techUK’s work across Justice and Emergency Services, please contact the team below.
Dave Evans
Head of Programme - Justice and Emergency Services and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Dave Evans
Head of Programme - Justice and Emergency Services and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Dave is a former senior police officer with the City of London Police, bringing extensive experience as a Detective and senior leader across frontline operations and multi-agency partnerships at regional and national levels.
He has led and supported responses to major national incidents, including mass casualty events, counter-terrorism operations and large-scale public disorder, working closely with partners across the criminal justice sector.
Alongside his public service, Dave has also held leadership roles in the private sector, managing projects focused on intellectual property and licensing. His combined experience across both sectors gives him a deep understanding of how collaboration between service providers and end users can strengthen resilience and trust.
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
Justice and Emergency Services Programme activities
The techUK Justice and Emergency Services Programme represents tech firms operating in the public safety, criminal justice, and blue light markets. We create strong relationships between members and public sector customers, encouraging industry engagement, and unlocking innovation. Visit the programme page here.
Join techUK’s Justice and Emergency Services Management Committee
techUK is inviting expressions of interest to join the Justice and Emergency Services Management Committee. This group helps shape programme priorities, strengthen engagement with government, and guide activity across the justice and emergency services landscape. Members with relevant expertise are encouraged to take part.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Head of Programme - Justice and Emergency Services and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Dave Evans
Head of Programme - Justice and Emergency Services and Economic Crime Lead, techUK
Dave is a former senior police officer with the City of London Police, bringing extensive experience as a Detective and senior leader across frontline operations and multi-agency partnerships at regional and national levels.
He has led and supported responses to major national incidents, including mass casualty events, counter-terrorism operations and large-scale public disorder, working closely with partners across the criminal justice sector.
Alongside his public service, Dave has also held leadership roles in the private sector, managing projects focused on intellectual property and licensing. His combined experience across both sectors gives him a deep understanding of how collaboration between service providers and end users can strengthen resilience and trust.
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran Richiusa
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
