On 30 May 2025 the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), with the support of the Police Digital Service (PDS) released the National Policing Digital Strategy 2025-2030, which is an updated version of the original 2020 strategy and serves as a guidance document to inform investment decisions and prioritisation in policing over the next five years.
The refresh comes at an important timing, as we are now at the mid-point of the original 10 year strategy, which was significantly influenced by the post COVID-19 digital acceleration and threat landscape.
Since then, extensive industry consultation has taken place to improve and adapt the strategy. As a part of this wider engagement with both the public and private sector, we are pleased to note that techUK members were influential in the steering of this refresh, thanks also to the ongoing partnership between techUK and Police Digital Service (PDS).
TechUK and the PDS initially established a partnership in 2021, to create a formal link between their services and the tech industry sector. Following the success of this, the partnership was strengthened through a refresh in June 2024, signifying the intent to continue this brilliant collaboration.
As a result of contributing to the strategies refinement and ensuring that the strategy aligns with the goals of policing, establishing several digital ambitions for 2030 to protect the public, deliver a seamless citizen experience, enable officers and staff through digital, collaborate with the private sector and to embed a whole public system approach.
To achieve this, the NPCC are focused on implementing the strategy in their next steps and aim to do so through their seven enabling pillars:
Data and analytics – A unified approach to data analytics is crucial for transparency and trust.
Strategic alignment – It is important that a cohesive national vision for digital policing is established, which should be derived from architectural principles and should guide investments.
Modernised core data and technology - Simplify and modernise our DDaT infrastructure, reducing environmental impact and costs while ensuring systems and equipment meet our requirements.
Connected technology – Strengthening policing with readily accessible data, powered through interoperability of technology and enhanced operational effectiveness.
Risk and security – Securing data and approaching risk consistently, to build public confidence in policing.
Talen in digital, data and technology – Ensure that the next generation of data and technology talent across policing is well positioned to facilitate the transformation.
Open digital market place - Create a dynamic, competitive digital market that fosters innovation and responsibly addresses policing challenges.
As we move into the implementation phase of the refreshed National Policing Digital Strategy, techUK is committed to continuing our support for its ambitions, particularly around skills development, interoperability, and fostering innovation.
One of the challenges recognised in the strategy is the need for the digital skills gap to be addressed, particularly with the fact that the demand for digital skills is increasing, which is a key area of focus at techUK. Our current Justice and Emergency Services Management Committee (JESMC) identified ‘digital skills’ as one of the programme priorities; the group is investigating ways that the tech industry can support the effective adoption of technology to enhance public safety, for which training and digital literacy is a vital part of. To further this agenda, the group are calling for input from members to submit any sector relevant training or material to contribute to a digital skills catalogue.
Interoperability and data sharing are also important priorities mentioned in the strategy, that are also addressed within techUK on the past years and discussions have progressed with our Interoperability in Justice and Public Safety Forum, joined by tech industry, police and government representatives.
We look forward to continuing to support the delivery of these priorities and contributing to a more digitally enabled, secure, and effective policing landscape over the next years.
If you want to know more about our work, reach out to the JES team.
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.
Event Round Up: Justice and Emergency Services Reception 2025
Building on the success of last year, we were pleased to elevate our annual reception to a conference, hosting an array of fantastic speakers representing the policing, justice, public safety, government and technology industry.
Interoperability in Justice and Public Safety Forum – Third Session
Our JES Interoperability Forum will serve as a collaborative space where tech companies and criminal justice and emergency services stakeholders can engage openly, discussing and supporting the communication transformation and data sharing across police forces, ambulances, fire services, courts, prisons and probation services.
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.
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.
Junior Programme Manager - Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Ella Gago-Brookes
Junior Programme Manager - Justice and Emergency Services, techUK
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes, before progressing into Junior Programme Manager in January 2024.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
Programme Team Assistant for Public Sector Markets, techUK
Francesca 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.
Join us to hear The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, this year’s keynote speaker at Building the Smarter State Conference!
