London police to launch facial recognition operations

LONDON: Britain’s biggest police force said on Friday it will begin to conduct live facial recognition technology operations, after carrying out a series of trials in recent years. London’s Metropolitan Police Service said its use of the cutting-edge tech at “specific locations” in the capital will be “intelligence-led” to target serious and violent crime.

The Met stressed it will be utilised in a standalone system and not linked to any other imaging system, such as CCTV, body worn cameras on officers or car license plate readers.

The increased deployment of facial technology has fuelled controversy in Britain, where its use does not yet have a legal framework. “As a modern police force, I believe that we have a duty to use new technologies to keep people safe in London,” Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said in a statement announcing the move.

“We are using a tried-and-tested technology, and have taken a considered and transparent approach in order to arrive at this point,” he added. “Similar technology is already widely used across the UK, in the private sector. The facial recognition system, developed by Japanese tech giant NEC, will involve cameras focused on a small, targeted area to scan passers-by, according to the Met.