One of the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE)'s strengths is
taking promising ideas and turning them into live capabilities
that make a difference on the ground. Our Prometheus work is a
clear example of that approach: applying advanced data
technologies to give investigators faster insights, reduce
duplication of effort, and improve the way information is shared
across the system.
Investigators often face the same frustrations: critical
information is hidden in multiple systems, analysis takes longer
than it should, and effort is wasted chasing data that already
exists somewhere else.
Led by the National Data and Analytics Office (NDAO), Prometheus has
been developed to improve the speed at which digital devices
seized from a suspect can be examined, helping
investigators:
-
connect information across systems so they can build a
clearer picture of a case
-
identify links and patterns that would otherwise take days or
weeks to surface
-
focus resources on the areas of greatest impact, rather than
being tied up in repetitive tasks
Currently in pilot phase and live across five forces, a
significant part of this project has been working with the Police
Digital Service through the National Policing Capabilities
Environment (NPCE).
The NPCE seeks to
ensure that long-term, the benefits are not limited to one pilot
or one force, but are scalable, secure, and nationally available.
That's the difference between innovation in isolation and
innovation that delivers systemic impact.
“Prometheus is proof of what's possible when policing expertise
and innovation are brought together,” said Andy Loukes, Mission
Assurance Lead, ACE. “NPCE gives us
the infrastructure to deliver this kind of capability at scale,
and ACE
is proud to be at the forefront of this next chapter in policing
technology, working on behalf of the NDAO.”
It is important to stress that Prometheus is not just a single
product. We think of it as a vehicle for bringing a range of
clever data technologies into law enforcement, whether that's
helping frontline policing, supporting complex financial
investigations, or enabling wider criminal justice partners. The
defining feature isn't any one deployment, but the
philosophy:
Make data usable - turn fragmented datasets
into tools investigators can act on
Scale what works - take promising methods from
proof-of-concept to national capability
Drive outcomes - measure success in terms of
speed, efficiency, and mission impact
PSNI Detective Superintendent and NDAO Prometheus
Project Manager Rachel Wilson said: “I am delighted and proud to
have been working collaboratively with the Accelerated Capability
Environment to develop and launch Prometheus on the National
Policing Capabilities Environment, hosted by the Police Digital
Service.
“Prometheus seeks to transform manual, time consuming data
processing methods, saving valuable time and resource and
facilitating the prompt apprehension of offenders and, most
importantly, the safeguarding of victims without delay.
“While it is currently being piloted to assist in the
investigation of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, the
long-term aim is to transition the use of this tool to a far
wider range of crime types.
“I am excited about further opportunities and look forward to
working with ACE again in the
future.”
Prometheus shows how ACE works: convening
partners, testing new approaches quickly, and then working
through national programmes like NPCE to make
sure those benefits are delivered where they matter most. For
policymakers, it offers a model of how investment in data-driven
innovation translates into tangible operational impact.
This is just one strand of our work, but it illustrates the value
of combining technical ingenuity with practical delivery. Threats
are becoming more complex in the UK, and Prometheus demonstrates
how ACE
helps law enforcement stay ahead, turning technology into
outcomes, and outcomes into impact.
