Met Police to trial operator-initiated facial recognition

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is set to trial operator-initiated facial recognition (OIFR) for the first time to assist officers with identity checks. Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan announced that the six-month pilot will involve 100 handheld devices equipped with OIFR software. The technology allows officers to scan and identify individuals on the spot, potentially reducing the need for arrests solely to verify details at a police station.

The programme has been allocated approximately £763,000. To maintain public confidence and transparency, the use of these devices will be overseen by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the London Policing Ethics Panel. These bodies will evaluate whether the technology is used in a right and proportionate manner.

Khan stated that the trial provides an opportunity to test the system's capabilities and effectiveness. However, he noted that a full roll-out is not guaranteed and will depend on whether the results prove sufficiently beneficial. 

Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has revealed it has used facial recognition technology 2,153 times since November 2021. The figures were disclosed by Justice Minister Naomi Long in a written response to a question from MLA Gerry Carroll concerning the use of the facial matching facility within the Police National Database. The release of this data has sparked renewed concerns regarding the extent of police surveillance in Northern Ireland.  

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