Live facial recognition tech used for first time on the tube

Having tested out live facial recognition technology first at London Bridge train station back in February, British Transport Police is expanding its trials to include the London Underground with its first deployment at Victoria station this week.

British Transport Police (BTP) has worked with Transport for London, the Rail Delivery Group as well as the Department for Transport and the London Mayor to test how the technology works in a railway setting. With Victoria Station in central London the location of the first deployment on the London Underground, BTP says that it will use other stations on the network as well as continuing to use it on overground settings.

Since the trial commenced at London Bridge train station in February, BTP has, according to its own logs, been used a further 17 times across other London main line stations to scan 537k faces with just one false match and no positive matches.

Speaking about the trial, which will is taking place until November this year, the BTP project lead, Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said the Victoria station deployment is “an important stage” in the trial of the technology.

“Expanding deployments into London Underground stations will help us assess the technology in a different transport environment while continuing to refine how it is used across the railway network.  

“Our deployments are intelligence-led and focused on identifying people wanted by the police or courts, including those suspected of serious offences and those who may be breaching bail conditions or court orders.”  

BTP currently utilises NEC’s NeoFace M40 algorithm facial recognition technology. The cameras work by scanning faces and comparing them to a watchlist of  people who are wanted by the police or courts, or who are subject to conditions designed to protect the public. If there’s a match, then the system generates an alert. An officer reviews the alert and carry out further checks before deciding whether any further action is necessary.  

To learn more about the implementation of live facial recognition technology and the next steps for officer initiated LFR, join our panel at The Emergency Tech Show where pioneers from South Wales Police will share their approach. Register to attend here.