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UK Police Plan to Widen Use of Facial Recognition Technology, Seek Additional Funding
In a move aimed at boosting policing capabilities, the UK police are planning to expand the application of facial recognition technology. This strategy, backed by a £220 million annual funding request for the next three years, entails the potential increase of live facial recognition cameras across England and Wales.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has asserted that this investment is crucial for improving efficiency and effectiveness in police work. One of the primary advantages touted for facial recognition technology is its potential to significantly reduce investigation times, leading to swifter justice. In 2024, 60 arrests per month were made using live facial recognition across three forces, with a quarter involving registered sex offenders.
The police also argue that facial recognition technology could enhance public safety by enabling quicker identification and apprehension of criminals. This, they believe, would be a valuable tool in crime prevention and national security. The plan also includes integrating facial recognition with other digital tools to improve data management and access to databases.
However, the move towards wider use of facial recognition has faced criticism due to insufficient regulation and governance frameworks. The Ada Lovelace Institute has raised concerns about the fragmented regulatory environment, suggesting it could undermine public trust and the legitimacy of police deployments. Despite these concerns, the UK police continue to push for the expansion of this technology in their policing strategy.
In the UK, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) is advocating for a seamless integration of facial recognition technology with other digital tools to bolster cybersecurity and data management efficiencies. This endeavor, accompanied by their £220 million annual funding request, aims to heighten public safety by swiftly identifying and apprehending offenders, while also reducing investigation times. Conversely, critics such as the Ada Lovelace Institute are concerned about the lack of comprehensive regulation, asserting it could jeopardize public trust and the legitimacy of these deployments.
