Policing required a clear understanding of how knife detection technology could genuinely enhance stop and search effectiveness. Early trials lacked a detailed view of operational realities — including how officers make decisions, apply legislation, and interact with technology in the field. The challenge was to translate this complex environment into actionable user requirements that could guide future development and deployment.

BlueprintCo applied a user-centred research and analysis approach to capture the real-world needs of officers and the practical constraints of deployment. We mapped operational workflows, identified pain points, and translated these insights into structured user requirements and scenario models. Our team synthesised behavioural, procedural, and legislative factors to ensure findings reflected how technology must work in practice — not just in theory.

The project delivered a clear evidence base to shape the next generation of knife detection technologies. Our work defined what “effective” means from an operational perspective — balancing accuracy, discretion, and legal compliance. The outputs are now informing ongoing development, helping ensure that future solutions are built around the people, processes, and realities of policing.