Police to use facial recognition tech

Live facial recognition (LFR) technology will deployed during the Notting Hill Carnival, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The force said the cameras would be used on the approach to and exit from Carnival, “outside the boundaries of the event” itself, to help officers “identify and intercept” people who pose a public safety risk.

The Met added that it would be carrying out “pre-emptive intelligence-led arrests and searches” of people believed to be in possession of weapons or supplying drugs, as it set out its policing plan for the August Bank Holiday event.

Big Brother Watch interim director Rebecca Vincent called for LFR plans to be scrapped, adding that the technology was “less accurate in scanning minority faces”.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, the police commander for this year’s event, said the force was working with organisers and partners ahead of Carnival.

“Regrettably, amongst the millions of carnivalists who have attended over many years there has been a tiny minority of individuals intent on causing serious harm to others, including violent crime and sexual offences,” he said.

“Their actions stand in stark contrast to the traditions and values of Carnival and I welcome those voices in the community who have stood up to condemn violence and serious criminality at the event.”

The Met added that it was working with police forces across the country to seek banning orders for people who have a history of violence or sexual offending at Carnival.

The force said the LFR cameras on the approach to the event would search for people marked as wanted on the Police National Computer, those who are shown as missing and people who are subject to sexual harm prevention orders.

It added that biometrics were immediately and permanently deleted for people who were not wanted by the police.

Ms Vincent said: “It is worrying to see the Met resorting to the use of invasive live facial recognition technology at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival after scrapping it when a prior trial led to widespread outcry on the grounds of bias.

“We know that LFR is less accurate in scanning minority faces, so using it to target attendees of this beloved cultural celebration is particularly sinister.

“The Met should channel its resources into a proper on-the-ground police presence to deal with actual criminals rather than compromising the privacy rights of millions of innocent carnival-goers and local residents.”

About 7,000 officers and staff will be deployed each day of the carnival, in a bid to keep people safe and prevent knife crime and violence against women and girls, the Met said.

Alongside the use of LFR technology, the force also plans to install screening arches at some of the busiest entry points, where stop-and-search powers will be used.

Mr Ward added: “The best way to prevent serious crime at Carnival, including violence and sexual offending, is to intervene and target the small number of dangerous offenders before they get to the event.”

He urged people to speak up if they knew anyone who was planning to take a weapon to Carnival or was being exploited.