Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to develop algorithms to assist in police investigations.

The Home Office is developing new computer systems through its Biometrics Programme and National Law Enforcement Data Programme to replace the existing national police systems dealing with criminal records, intelligence, and biometrics.

These systems will use more efficient and powerful algorithms than the current systems. The Home Office is also supporting a number of projects to improve computer systems at force level through the Police Transformation Fund.