APCC & NPCC Partnership Summit 2025: Our Key Takeaways

Last week marked RLDatix’s first year exhibiting at the APCC & NPCC Partnership Summit a major gathering of policing, government and industry leaders focused on shaping the future of public safety in a rapidly changing, technology-enabled world. As first-time exhibitors, the summit offered a valuable opportunity to hear directly from forces about their priorities, pressures and expectations as they move into 2026.

1. A new era of reform is approaching

One of the strongest themes across the summit was the forthcoming Policing Reform White Paper, expected later this year. While full details are still to come, the Home Secretary’s Vision for Police Reform has already set the tone for what’s ahead.

Key priorities include:

• Stronger national standards
• Smarter use of data and performance insight
• A more consistent policing experience for the public

Leaders repeatedly emphasised that the era of wide local variation is ending. Reform is now focused on delivering consistent, measurable outcomes across all forces, supported by clearer expectations, greater transparency and a national definition of “what good looks like.”

2. Digital, data and technology now sit at the core of policing’s future

Setting the agenda early, NPCC Chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, described policing as being “at a crossroads” and stressed that science, data and technology must move from the margins to the centre of operational practice.

Across our conversations, forces acknowledged that:

• Awareness of digital solutions is no longer the challenge
• The real gap lies in capability, pace and scale of adoption
• Decision-making must be increasingly data-driven and evidence-based

The reform agenda is clearly pushing policing towards technology-enabled service delivery, where digital capability, workforce insight and integrated systems play a defining role in future success.

3. Performance and public confidence are under real pressure

Improving victim experience and overall performance was another recurring concern. National data underlines the scale of the challenge:

• Only around 15% of victims feel kept informed about their case (HMICFRS)
• Just 5.7% of recorded crimes result in a charge (Home Office)

Across the summit, leaders agreed that policing urgently needs clearer national standards, better use of operational and workforce data, and a more coordinated approach to adopting proven technology. With demand evolving rapidly, the system must move with greater pace, alignment and consistency to rebuild trust and deliver better outcomes for the public.

A sector ready for change

Across two days, it was clear that policing understands the urgency of reform and is ready to embrace new models, new technology and new ways of working.

While RLDatix isn’t on the frontline, we are committed to supporting those who are: listening, learning and building solutions that strengthen digital capability, workforce insight and operational clarity.

If you’d like to discuss our national and local developments or explore how RLDatix can support digital policing, workforce insight and operational decision-making, we’d welcome the conversation.