Forensic Analytics, a digital forensics company whose communications analysis software is used by police forces throughout the UK, has secured a £4.5 million investment from Mercia Asset Management PLC.
The funding, which comes from Mercia’s own balance sheet and the Northern VCT Funds managed by Mercia, will allow it to further invest into its innovative cloud-based software platform and expand its sales internationally.
Forensic Analytics has revolutionised the way police gather digital forensic evidence. Its software solutions include Cell Site Analysis Suite, which allows users to analyse complex, diverse data sets efficiently, and create reports to an evidential standard at speed.
Its technology has led to the successful prosecution of some of the UK’s most sophisticated criminal networks and played a key role in combating so-called county lines drug dealing networks.
In a recent speech, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told how over an 18-month period, its CSAS tool had enabled the Met to close 533 county lines, which resulted in more than 1,000 individuals being arrested, 1,624 charges brought and a 99% conviction rate achieved, including many long custodial sentences.
Founded in 2013 by Joe Hoy, Martin Griffiths and Andrew Hausler, Forensic Analytics is based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The company was also recognised this year with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Steve Rick, CEO of Forensic Analytics, said: “I am delighted that Forensic Analytics and Mercia have formed this partnership, which will enable us to continue our R&D programme, to deliver the tools required by policing that generate results.
“This investment will also enable us to realise our ambition to be the UK’s leading provider of digital forensic solutions and expand internationally.
“The impact of our Cell Site Analysis Suite (CSAS) was demonstrated most recently through the results CSAS delivered for the Metropolitan Police Service to disrupt county lines.
“Thanks to CSAS, the Met was able to analyse its data within days rather than months which not only disrupted lines, but also led to a 99% conviction rate of individuals prosecuted in the courts, and resulted in increased custodial sentences.
“The technological capability that CSAS delivers is now benefiting not only the Met but also the vast majority of forces in the UK. It allows police to be at the cutting edge of revolutionary digital forensics which can harness the power of digital and the cloud, significantly boosting delivery of precise, more targeted proactive policing approaches and early interventions.”