Police to Secure British Grand Prix with FRT

Northamptonshire Police will use facial recognition technology at the British Grand Prix for the second year. The event is expected to draw about 480,000 attendees from July 4-7, and organizers aim to prevent criminal activity with the biometric technology.

First used at Silverstone in 2023, the software scans faces and matches them against a watch list. Speaking to the BBC, Det. Supt. Richard Tompkins emphasized the importance of not becoming complacent as each year presents new challenges—and issued a warning to wanted criminals.

“”If you are wanted in Northamptonshire… in surrounding counties, or indeed if we have information that you may be coming to commit crime as part of an organised gang, we will load your image up,” he said.

Clearly marked signs and QR codes will indicate where the technology is in use. Manual checks, including fingerprints, will accompany facial recognition to minimize the chances of wrongful identification.

Concerns about the technology’s use have been raised previously. In 2020, a court found a South Wales Police trial unlawful due to unclear guidance and a lack of data protection impact assessment. Civil rights group Liberty argued the technology could disproportionately affect communities of color.

Despite these concerns, Tompkins believes the technology is justified if it ensures safety. He likened its adoption to the introduction of CCTV in public areas, acknowledging public concerns but emphasizing the primary aim is public safety. The data from the facial recognition scans will not be retained, focusing solely on keeping the event secure.

Police in the United Kingdom have been increasing their use of facial recognition in public settings in recent months, making numerous arrests at wanted criminals have been flagged by their systems.

Source: BBC News

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June 10, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy