Facial recognition technology has seen growing adoption by UK police forces in recent years. Essex Police, after a successful trial in 2023
A coalition of civil society organisations is calling on the UK Home Secretary to introduce strict safeguards for the use of AI in policing, advocating for a complete ban on predictive policing and biometric surveillance. The #SafetyNotSurveillance coalition, which includes 17 groups such as the Open Rights Group, Big Brother Watch, Liberty, and the Network for Police Monitoring, has expressed serious concerns about the potential for AI systems to perpetuate discrimination.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, the coalition argues that AI-driven systems, which use data and algorithms to profile individuals or locations and predict criminal activity, should be prohibited. The group asserts that these technologies amplify existing biases, particularly against marginalized communities, including those based on race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability, gender, and migration status. The coalition is also pushing for greater transparency, accountability, and legislative oversight for all AI applications in policing.
“AI and automated systems have been proven to magnify discrimination and inequality in policing,” said Sara Chitseko, Pre-crime Programme Manager for the Open Rights Group. “Of particular concern are so-called ‘predictive policing’ and biometric surveillance systems which are disproportionately used to target racialised, working class and migrant communities.”
The letter specifically addresses the use of facial recognition technology by police, which has faced significant opposition from civil liberties groups. The coalition is urging the government to establish a clear legal framework governing its use, a request directed at the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Facial recognition technology has seen growing adoption by UK police forces in recent years. Essex Police, after a successful trial in 2023, recently decided to permanently deploy live facial recognition (LFR) technology to apprehend serious offenders. This decision aligns with similar efforts by other forces, such as the London Metropolitan Police and North Wales Police, to integrate LFR into their operations.
In addition to LFR, the UK Home Office has allocated £55.5 million to bolster police capabilities with facial recognition technology, particularly to combat retail crimes like shoplifting. This funding supports the Retail Crime Action Plan, which utilizes CCTV footage to identify offenders through the Police National Database. However, despite these advancements, there are ongoing concerns about potential biases and the proportionality of deploying such technology extensively.
The coalition’s call to action reflects a growing debate over the role of AI in policing and the balance between security and civil liberties. As the UK continues to expand its use of technology in law enforcement, the demands for safeguards and regulations are becoming increasingly urgent.
