Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary alongside Thames Valley Police have launched a pioneering trial of Bobbi AI Virtual Assistant, marking the first deployment of such technology within UK policing to handle non-emergency enquiries.
The forces are breaking new ground with this artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant designed to respond to frequently posed, non-urgent queries from the public. Operating with human-like interactions whilst being fully automated, Bobbi represents an innovative addition to existing contact methods including online forms, telephone services, and station front desks.
The Bobbi AI Virtual Assistant Hampshire Police operates using exclusively closed-source data supplied by both constabularies. This ensures all information comes directly from official police sources. The system provides guidance and signposting across various police-related matters, drawing from the same knowledge base utilised by Call Handlers and Digital Desk Operators.
Citizens cannot use Bobbi for crime reporting or as a substitute for 999 emergency calls. When the assistant cannot resolve an enquiry or users request human support, conversations transfer seamlessly to Digital Desk operators who work around the clock.
More than 200 individuals participated in Bobbi’s development phase, including victim support organisation representatives and independent scrutiny panel members. All conversational data remains confidential within the two forces.
Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, Head of Contact Management, explained the rationale: “Contact volumes continue rising annually through digital and telephone channels. Our skilled Call Handlers and Digital Desk Operators must focus on emergencies and complex, sensitive matters requiring empathy, judgement, and human instinct.
“Bobbi enhances community service by delivering swift answers to routine non-emergency questions, ensuring everyone receives timely assistance. The technology remains under continuous development as our teams refine functionality, update policies, and adapt to community requirements.”
Users can access the service via a speech bubble icon on the Hampshire police website’s bottom right corner for non-emergency questions.
