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Intrusive Facial Recognition Ruled Out in New H&F CCTV Upgrades

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July 30, 2024
2 min read

Intrusive Facial Recognition Ruled Out in New H&F CCTV Upgrades

Hammersmith and Fulham Council Confirms Ethical AI Use in CCTV Upgrade, with no Intrusive Facial Recognition Capabilities.

In a recent statement, Neil Thurlow, Director of Public Protection at Hammersmith and Fulham Council, clarified that the ongoing upgrade of the borough’s extensive CCTV network will not include facial recognition technology. Thurlow assured residents that while artificial intelligence (AI) will be integrated into the system, it will adhere to the “highest ethics”.

During a meeting with the Social Inclusion and Community Safety Policy and Accountability Committee on 24 July, council officers highlighted that the borough’s CCTV network is one of the most comprehensive in the UK, with over 2,000 cameras deployed across public areas and council housing estates.

Local CCTV Control Room in Hammersmith Town Centre, showing screens and operators viewing various parts of the borough. Council leaders have assured the public that new AI-assisted features will not include intrusive Facial Recognition technology. — CCTV Control Room in Hammersmith

Intuitive, Not Intrusive

Thurlow explained the benefits of the new AI technology, and was clear that no intrusive facial recognition features were involved. He outlined the new features:

“If operators were searching for someone in a red dress walking down King Street, they could input that information and the network would be able to use that to locate the individual.”

This type of visual recognition is similar to the capabilities of AI tools like Google Lens, which can search for images online or generate new content based on visual cues. By implementing such technology, the council aims to enhance the efficiency of locating specific individuals or events based on visual descriptions.

Partnering for Public Safety

The upgraded CCTV system, operated and monitored from a control room in Hammersmith, has long-standing collaborations with neighbouring councils. A partnership with Kensington and Chelsea Council has been in place for years, and a new collaboration with Westminster City Council was initiated earlier this week.

The CCTV network also maintains a significant partnership with local businesses. The Hammersmith BID SafetyNet radio system is integral to crime reduction efforts in the town centre, providing a direct link between shops, pubs, corporate premises, the council’s CCTV network, and the Metropolitan Police. This system ensures rapid communication and evidence collection when incidents of crime or anti-social behaviour occur.

In 2022, Hammersmith and Fulham Council announced a £5.4 million investment to enhance and expand its CCTV network over five years, demonstrating a strong commitment to public safety and security.