Met Police start test of live facial recognition cameras
THE Metropolitan Police has started new trials of controversial live facial recognition technology in parts of Westminster in a bid to reduce crime around the area.
Privacy rights group Big Brother Watch has called the move “dangerous”.
It argues it is a “breach of fundamental rights to privacy and freedom of speech and assembly” but the police say people can decline to be scanned without arousing suspicion.
The latest trial of live facial recognition technology will take place across parts of Soho, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square on December 17 and 18.
Police will deploy the system for about eight hours each day to provide enough time for it to be tested.
The Metropolitan Police has previously tested the system at major events, such as Notting Hill Carnival and Remembrance Day, as well as at the Port of Hull docks and Stratford transport hub.
South Wales Police have also tried the technology at various events including the Uefa Champions League 2017 final in Cardiff, international rugby matches and Liam Gallagher and Kasabian concerts.
In May, the Metropolitan Police released figures showing it had identified 102 false positives – cases where someone was incorrectly matched to a photo – with only two correct matches.
Neither resulted in arrest, as one was no longer wanted by police, while the other was classed as a “fixated individual” who attended a Remembrance Day event.
South Wales Police said its trial results improved after changes to the algorithm used to identify people.
The system allowed it to make four arrests during the autumn internationals rugby, one arrest and two people ordered to leave at a Kasabian concert, and five arrests during the Six Nations rugby. The force also made two arrests in Cardiff as part of Operation Fulcrum and two in an operation in Swansea.
A report by South Wales Police said the system struggled in large crowds and in darkness, as well as against people wearing glasses or hats. The mobile app also frequently failed or was slow getting alerts to intervention teams.
The Met have indicated future deployments could be considered for sporting events, music festivals and transport hubs. Ivan Balhatchet, strategic lead for the project, said: “We continue to engage with some who actively challenge our use of this technology.”