South Wales and Gwent Police to use new facial recognition app

Police officers in South Wales and Gwent are to become the first in the UK to develop and use technology to identify wanted individuals in real time through a new facial recognition app on their mobile phones.

South Wales Police say it will enable officers to confirm the identity of a wanted suspect almost instantly even if that suspect provides false or misleading details, thereby securing their quick arrest. Cases of mistaken identity will be easily resolved and without the need for a trip to a police station or custody suite.

During the testing phase, which will last for 3 months, the app – known as Operator Initiated Facial Recognition- will be used initially by 70 officers from South Wales Police and Gwent Police.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis, of South Wales Police, said: “This new app means that with the taking of a single photograph which is then compared to the police database, officers can easily and quickly answer the question of ‘Are you really the person we are looking for?’. When dealing with a person of interest during their patrols in our communities, officers will be able to access instant information allowing them to identify whether the person stopped is, or is not, the person they need to speak to, without having to return to a police station.

“I want to stress that this new technology doesn’t replace traditional means of identifying people and that our police officers will only be using the new technology in instances where it is both necessary and proportionate to do so with, as always, the end goal of keeping that particular individual, or the wider public, safe.”

The Police say that facial recognition is just one way in which technological advancements are being used across South Wales and Gwent forces with the aim of making the work of police officers easier and faster so that they can have more time to work at keeping communities safe.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Roberts, of Gwent Police, said: “Embracing technology and innovation is an important part of policing and how we continue to keep people safe. This new mobile app will be a valuable tool to help officers to identify vulnerable or missing people, saving time and reuniting loved ones quicker.

“This tool can also provide identification of someone who is unconscious or seriously injured and unable to communicate who they are. By using this technology we are preventing harm, helping those in need and keeping our communities safe.”

South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael added: “I undertake close scrutiny of the operational decisions on the introduction of technology and subject each new step to independent oversight and scrutiny because of the ethical and social concerns that have been expressed over the use of facial recognition technology. People want to know that members of the public who have done nothing wrong are not being subjected to inappropriate surveillance and that their privacy will be fully respected and protected. However, people also want us to keep them safe and to use the technology to apprehend people who have committed serious offences and take them off the streets. As a result of our robust systems of scrutiny and challenge I can provide assurance to the public that we are getting that balance right. We are committed to protecting human rights as well as keeping the public safe.

“It’s important to remember that police officers have always been able to spot a person who is wanted for a crime and stop them in the street. The difference with the use of this technology is simply the speed and accuracy with which the individual can be identified and arrested and the speed with which a person who is not wanted by the police can be allowed to go on their way.”

Facial recognition has proved controversial in the past for South Wales Police, with a previous automated system used by the force deemed unlawful following a Court of Appeal hearing in August 2020.

The case was brought by civil rights group Liberty and Mr Ed Bridges from Cardiff who objected to his image being captured by the automated system, saying this breached his human rights, and being identified by the automated system brought him distress.

At the time of the ruling Mr Bridges said: “I’m delighted that the court has agreed that facial recognition clearly threatens our rights.

“This technology is an intrusive and discriminatory mass surveillance tool.

“For three years now, South Wales Police has been using it against hundreds of thousands of us, without our consent and often without our knowledge.

“We should all be able to use our public spaces without being subjected to oppressive surveillance.”