The UK government is preparing to grant new powers to the police, enabling them to use facial recognition technology to scan images of criminals captured on CCTV against approximately 50 million driving license records. These proposed legal changes by the Home Office signify a significant step towards integrating facial recognition searches with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) database, which includes the details of most adult drivers.
Police Minister Chris Philp has lauded the technology as a ‘game-changing’ tool in combating crime. He expressed his desire for all incidents of theft, including shoplifting and burglary captured on security cameras, to be cross-referenced against the Home Office’s passport and immigration databases. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of crime-solving where clear footage of the offender is available, such as in cases involving shop CCTV, dashcams, and video doorbells.
Preliminary adjustments to the laws governing police access to DVLA records have been proposed, potentially paving the way for the inclusion of motorists’ records in facial recognition searches. However, this expansion would undergo a comprehensive consultation process and likely require additional legislation, as per the understanding of the matter.
A Home Office spokesperson clarified that the initial steps outlined in the Criminal Justice Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, are intended to ‘clarify the law around safeguarding and accountability of police forces’ use of DVLA records.’ They also emphasized that these measures do not automatically grant access to DVLA records for facial recognition purposes. Any further advancements in this area would be subject to extensive public engagement.
Facial recognition technology, with its advanced capabilities to match even blurred or partial images of an offender’s face, could potentially allow the police to solve nearly every theft incident captured on camera. The Home Office plans to develop an ‘integrated database’ to facilitate seamless comparisons between security camera footage and government-held images.
In line with new guidelines from the College of Policing, police forces in England and Wales will be expected to consider all potential evidence, including CCTV, in their investigations. The integration of facial recognition checks into the investigative process is believed to act as a formidable deterrent against crime.
However, these developments have sparked privacy concerns among civil liberties groups. Chris Jones from Statewatch cautioned that automatic scans of DVLA records could essentially place every driving license holder in the country under continuous police scrutiny. Critics argue that expanding surveillance and snooping powers may not necessarily enhance public safety, raising important questions about the balance between security and privacy.
As this initiative progresses, it will be crucial to address these concerns and ensure that the implementation of such technology is balanced with the preservation of individual privacy rights.
