The latest artificial intelligence technology could help the Metropolitan Police Service “save up to £30 million and put an extra 545 police officers on London’s streets”.

That is according to Croydon and Sutton’s London Assembly member Steve O’Connell in a new report published earlier this month.

It looks into how using artificial intelligence (AI) in policing the capital could “be the next step in Met reform” amid increased financial and resource pressures.

He said: “AI has the potential to revolutionise policing, perhaps even more so than the invention of the telephone or handheld radio.

“Introducing AI into policing will help solve many of the new and emerging problems faced by the MPS. It gives them the ability to enter the big data age and stay ahead of criminals wishing to exploit emerging technologies.

“With strong oversight and the right expertise, we can see policing enter the modern age. The MPS needs to avoid implementing in a fragmented manner, instead taking a holistic approach.

“As the UK’s biggest and wealthiest force, the Metropolitan Police needs to take the lead on this and show what can be done.”

It was recommended in the report the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) budget be cut from the current £58.1 million to its 2016/17 level of £47.6 million.

This would seemingly generate savings “upwards” of £30 million to fund the AI as the reported annual cost of a Met-wide rollout is roughly £7.5 million, according to Mr O’Connell.

Subsequently, it’s suggested the money raised from slashing the MOPAC budget should fund frontline policing “with an extra 545 police officers”.

The chairman of the London Assembly's police and crime committee also wants it to be used by police officers who can access analytics and vehicles via an app.

Specialist teams would receive “flags” to help assist in tracing a suspect while investigating officers would access analysis to see if there are patterns to help identify them.

Mr O’Connell also pointed to strategies used by New York police with its domain awareness system (DAS), which collects sensors from more than 9,000 CCTV cameras and over 2 billion plate reads.

However, a Mayor of London spokesman said the Met is “already investing in data analytics and this year’s budget”.

On July 30, a Mayor of London spokesman said: “Sadiq inherited a terrible digital legacy from the previous mayor but has overseen significant improvements in the face of these huge cuts.

“He has set aside well over £300 million to address technological infrastructure and digital transformation over the next four years, and will continue to help lead the way and support officers through tablets and body worn video cameras, but urgently needs the Government to step-up and reverse its cuts if we are to stop falling officer numbers and fund the services that will reduce crime.”

He added Sadiq Khan “is doing all he can” to put more officers on London streets, including an additional £138 million being pumped into the Met.

However, what City Hall can do “is a drop in the ocean” amid Government plans to save up to £1 billion.

To see the report in full, click here.