Matching Shoplifters with Facial Recognition Technology
The largest police force in the United Kingdom is employing facial recognition technology to apprehend the most heinous shoplifters in London.
A month ago, the Met Police requested images of their thirty most prolific unidentified offenders from the capital’s 12 leading retailers. Within days, 149 suspects were identified, according to the police.
Certain individuals among the suspects have ties to more severe criminal activities, whereas all of them have prior arrest records that include drug trafficking, sexual offences, burglary, violence, and firearms possession.
Met Commissioner Commends “Game-Changing” Results
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley referred to the results as “game-changing” as his force attempts to clamp down on shoplifting, the incidence of which has increased due to organised crime and the rising cost of living.
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Retailers want the government to fight retail crime, which costs the UK £1.9 billion annually.
This month, police minister Chris Philp recommended adding passport photographs to the police database to find CCTV matches.
The Metropolitan Police stated that its facial recognition technology can match features against police mugshots in approximately one minute. Officers will work with retailers to build a case against 302 CCTV stills of suspects and find them.
“In an unprecedented effort, we are collaborating with stores throughout the capital to identify and apprehend criminals,” said Sir Mark.
“By utilising technology and innovation, we are pushing the limits in our ability to quickly identify criminals.”
“The results thus far have the potential to change the game.” “In this manner, facial recognition could potentially transform the way in which we investigate and solve crimes.”
Protecting London’s Retail Sector
The Metropolitan Police estimates that one in ten Londoners are employed in the retail sector. Where over a thousand incidents of staff harassment and violence are reported annually.
Sir Mark said facial recognition technology has identified most of the individuals as career criminals committing serious crimes.
He stated that by employing this strategy, not only are we enhancing our efforts to safeguard shops and assist the business community, but we are also making progress in the identification and apprehension of severe criminals and the protection of every community in London.
Business crime in London is of monumental scale.” “We must be precise in our approach to achieve success, and this is an extremely encouraging step in the right direction.
Facial Recognition Implementation and Concerns
The Met built the software in August and began the retail trial in late September.
The force states that the facial recognition algorithm has undergone independent testing at the National Physical Laboratory, which has guaranteed it to be one hundred percent accurate when applied retroactively.
Privacy Concerns
However, Emmanuelle Andrews of the human rights organisation Liberty stated that facial recognition technology “has no place in our shops, streets, or any other aspect of our lives.”
“This technology stifles free speech and threatens our privacy; therefore, we should all be concerned about efforts to expand its reach,” she continued.
Furthermore, we express apprehension regarding the infiltration of facial recognition technology into additional facets of law enforcement.
It is clear that technology cannot fix major social challenges. This expansion of state surveillance is unwarranted, and there are innumerable viable alternatives.
Shoplifting Statistics
The Metropolitan Police received reports of approximately 50,000 shoplifting incidents in the previous year; this represents an approximated 5% to 10% of the total value of the offences committed.
