Events in the summer provide a reminder that society is fragile. Often, all that prevents things from tipping over into total chaos are the actions of brave police officers.
I am talking about the riots across the UK last month, which saw individuals pelt the police with rocks, bricks and fireworks, or push burning wheelie bins into lines of officers. Driven by misinformation shared online about a horrendous crime, the rioters nonetheless took the opportunity to attack the police, destroy public property and loot shops, helping themselves to vapes or Greggs’ pastries.
Some commentators talked about the rioters’ ‘legitimate grievances’, and no doubt, social deprivation played a role here. But as far as I can tell, the men captured on police body-worn video weren’t engaged in debate – they were throwing punches at police officers who quite simply have better things to do than deal with idiots trashing their own communities.
The speed with which the police have apprehended rioters, their investigations supported by high-quality video images (sometimes even shared by the perpetrators online!) has been remarkable, and many have been judged, found guilty, and are already serving custodial sentences. Some 1,280 arrests have been made and the CPS have brought a total of 796 charges.
A helping hand
On the back of this, I wonder if we will see renewed interest in the algorithm and its central role in facial recognition technology?
I ask this because while the analysis of video has led the speedy arrest of rioters in the UK, even a country like Germany, which has traditionally held civil liberties in great regard and so has avoided implementing more ‘intrusive’ surveillance technology, is now revisiting the role of facial recognition technology following a recent terrorist attack in Solingen that left three people dead.
France, meanwhile, another country known for its protection of individual rights and freedoms, deployed facial recognition technology during the Olympics to ensure a smooth and crime-free Games. And while the EU’s AI Act limits the use of live algorithmic facial recognition technology, a late-stage amendment permits its use on recorded images, post-event, which explains why the French and German authorities are using it.
This was met with inevitable doom-mongering about the erosion of civil liberties, of course, but for every MEP, pressure group or academic who warns about ‘Big Brother’ there is a police officer injured in the line of duty, a shopworker attached with a machete, or an innocent bystander stabbed in the street. Who will stand up for their civil liberties? And if the streets are unsafe to walk, what does that say about our ‘freedom’, anyway?
Have things gone too far?
The managing director of high street retailer Iceland, Richard Walker OBE, spoke the other day about how frustrating it was that his employees are subjected to violence and intimidation as they go about their job, and explained that retail theft results in higher prices for consumers.
Yet he also decried the fact that he can’t share information with other retailers about suspected thieves – many of which, as he said, are part of professional gangs. Clearly frustrated that things have gone too far in the criminals’ direction, he said he would “take the rap” for Iceland staff who share images of shoplifters on WhatsApp, and criticised data protection laws that stop retailers from posting CCTV images of thieves.
As a business that works closely with national police forces, supporting their work in custody suites and on the ground, as well as serving corporate customers, I feel Richard’s frustration – especially when there are proven and cost-effective technological solutions at hand that can deliver immediate results. It is time for common sense, and I would hope that a government led by a former Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, understands the role that (properly controlled) technology can play in keeping our streets safer, our businesses secure and our police fully supported as they go about their job. Otherwise, I fear we will simply be having the same conversation again in one, two or even ten years’ time.
To find out about Reliance High-Tech’s work with police forces, retailers and other organisations please contact the team at info@reliancehightech.co.uk.
