West Midlands Police AI false intelligence: Legal comment
False intelligence sourced from artificial intelligence (AI) was used to justify a decision to ban football fans from a match in England, a government report has revealed.
The interim report from Sir Andy Cooke reviews West Midlands Police’s decision to ban Macabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a football match against Aston Villa, in Birmingham, in November 2025.
It found that the force’s Chief Constable compiled inaccurate intelligence using AI, which “hallucinated” in referencing a fictitious football match. The mishap received widespread criticism, including from the Home Secretary.
James Arrowsmith, Partner in the government team at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, has helped local authorities to develop AI frameworks and delivered training on AI governance issues.
He said: “This unfortunate mishap shouldn’t lead to a pause on the integration of new technologies within public bodies, but it does expose numerous issues surrounding AI governance.
“While many organisations are ready to build AI into their processes and systems, they must recognise the way in which it has crept under the radar via AI-generated search engines and internet browser plug-ins.
“Many of their employees will already use these applications in everyday life and import them into the workplace without organisations having oversight or providing training on how to watch out for issues like the ‘hallucinations’ evident in the West Midlands Police case.
“This is why organisations must be proactive in introducing AI governance, training and oversight now, whether they have an intentionally deployed AI application or not.
“We know AI has the potential to drive time and cost efficiencies in public bodies that are severely stretched, but they must install proper AI governance in order to ensure transparency, scrutiny and human decision-making figure prominently during its use.
“The risks of ignoring this are clear – not only can it lead to unintended consequences, but wider decision-making will be questioned as a result of isolated issues and trust in our authorities will erode in the court of public opinion.”
Contact
Dan Robinson
PR & Communications Manager
Dan.Robinson@brownejacobson.com
+44 0330 045 1072
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Press Release
West Midlands Police AI false intelligence: Legal comment
Guide
When fresh evidence isn't enough: Understanding the threshold for age assessment reviews
Legal Update
Court transparency pilot: New public access rules from 1 January 2026
Legal Update
Homelessness law reform in Wales: What the new Bill means for local authorities and housing associations
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters: December 2025
Press Release
Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025: Legal comment as Bill receives royal assent
Guide
Managing PFI contractor liquidation: A short guide for contracting authorities
Legal Update - Employment Rights Act
Employment Rights Act: Finally here
Press Release
National Planning Policy Framework reforms consultation: Legal comment
Opinion
Breaking the chains: The future of non-compete clauses
Opinion
AI in local government: Key legal insights from recent training
Opinion
Welsh Government's £36m development loan scheme: A vital step towards meeting 20,000 home target
Guide
Strategic approaches to managing subject access requests: A guide for public sector organisations
Opinion
Expert evidence in subsidy control challenges: Tribunal draws a firm line
On-Demand - Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Bill: An overview for employers
Guide
Leveraging private finance for public infrastructure: Shaping future PPP models
Press Release
Devolution Priority Programme mayor elections delayed until 2028: Legal comment
Legal Update - Procurement Act
The Procurement Act 2023: 10 months on, how is it going?
Legal Update - Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Bill: Government drops ‘day one’ unfair dismissal rights
Press Release
Browne Jacobson and The NHS Confederation set out how to make integrated health organisations a success in report
Press Release
Browne Jacobson responds to the Autumn Budget 2025
Press Release
PPPs to finance neighbourhood health centres: Legal comment
Press Release
Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce report: Legal comment
Legal Update
Autumn Budget 2025 sector predictions: Government
Published Article
Blueprint for AI success in local government
Legal Update
2025 Autumn Budget predictions
Legal Update - Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Bill: Still not here yet
Press Release
Councils ‘to be bypassed’ for large-scale housing developments: Legal comment
Training
Register to attend our next Home Delivery Academy
Press Release
Browne Jacobson and CBI join forces to champion revival of PFI-style models for infrastructure investment
Press Release
Chancellor pre-Budget speech: Legal comment
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters: October 2025
Legal Update
Supreme Court rules on appropriate assessment requirements in the planning process: Clarity, but for how long?
Legal Update
What lessons does Weis v GMCA have for public authorities delivering regeneration projects?
Legal Update
The first Article 4 Direction in Wales successfully challenged in the High Court
Legal Update
Self-neglect and capacity: Insights from recent regulatory and safeguarding adult reviews
Press Release
Supreme Court judgment on environmental protection of ‘Ramsar sites’: Legal reaction
Press Release
Browne Jacobson renamed as supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Legal Panel for Government framework
Opinion
When does sexual harassment by an employee take place in the course of employment?
