West Midlands Police Chief Apologises for AI Blunder Over Football Evidence
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford has been forced to apologise to MPs after an AI error led to false evidence being presented to the Commons Home Affairs Committee.
Wrong Football Match Cited Thanks to AI
Guildford admitted the police report included incorrect details about a football match. The West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv fixture was mistakenly referenced in the report to Birmingham City Council’s Safety Advisory Group.
“I write further to my appearances at the HAC on 1st December 2025 and 6th January 2026 regarding the erroneous inclusion of the West Ham v Maccabi Tel Aviv match in the WMP report to Birmingham City Council’s Safety Advisory Group.
“On Friday afternoon, while preparing for the HMICFRS inquiry, I learned the error came from using Microsoft Co-Pilot AI, not just a Google search as previously thought by both myself and ACC O’Hara.
“I offer my profound apology to the Committee for this mistake. I honestly believed the match was identified via Google, and there was no intention to mislead.”
Government to Review Police Report Fallout
A Home Office spokesperson confirmed the Home Secretary has received the Chief Inspectorate’s findings. These concern West Midlands Police’s controversial recommendation to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa game.
“The Home Secretary has received the Chief Inspectorate’s findings on West Midlands Police’s recommendation to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from an Aston Villa match. She will review the letter and respond with a Commons statement later today.”
