Worcester’s annual Evidence-Based Policing Conference will examine both the challenges posed by criminals using emerging technologies such as AI, and the opportunities these tools offer to law enforcement.
Into the Digital Age: The Increasing Use of Technology in Crime, will be a major conference, hosted by the University of Worcester on Friday 26th June 2026.
The event’s keynote speaker will be National Crime Agency Director Alex Murray OBE, a former Chief Constable and now Director of Threats, National Crime Agency.
Angi Hart, lecturer in Policing and conference organiser, said: “Alex Murray OBE will open the day with his profound insights into the growing use of AI in a policing context.”
“Artificial intelligence is already rapidly changing policing,” she added. “It has gone from being a futuristic idea to an active daily operational tool aimed at enhancing efficiency predicting crime trends and analysing large amounts of data, not to mention how much it is used in criminality.”
Angi said: “It’s such a vast topic in the world of policing, so it’s highly appropriate for it to be the focus of this year’s annual conference.”
Other speakers throughout the day will include Katy Wareham-Morris, Head of English, Media and Culture at the University of Worcester, Emma-Jane Scrase, Digital Investigations Manager at West Mercia Police, Chris Bowers and Nader Sohrabi Safa, University of Worcester experts in cybercrime, and more.
Angi Hart said: “This major conference will give a unique opportunity for police professionals, researchers, students and practitioners from across the criminal justice sector to engage in critical dialogue, share best practices, and forge collaborations to drive safer, smarter policing.”
The conference is open to all, with tickets priced at £20. University of Worcester staff and students can attend free of charge.
The Evidence-Based Policing Conference 2026 takes place at the University of Worcester Arena, starting at 09.00, closing at 16.30, with refreshments and lunch provided.