Use of facial recognition technology

Freedom of information request reference no: 285/25

REQUEST

1. Please could you give me any guidelines for use by South Wales Police on use of facial recognition technology.
2. Please also give me any data that you hold on the effectiveness of facial recognition and how accurate it is.
3. Many are worried about concerns about their privacy, please detail how the use of facial recognition use impinges or otherwise upon their privacy and data protection laws.
4. How many people have been arrested with the use of facial recognition technology.
5. How many police and staff in South Wales Police are involved with facial recognition technology.
6. What software is being used?
7. How much has been spent in 2023, and 2024 on facial recognition technology and the labour and other associated costs.

Clarification:

Q5 - how many police officers have undertaken the training

Q7 - expenditure only.

RESPONSE

We consulted with our Digital Services Division who have provided the below response to your request.

Questions 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6

As this is available in the public domain, we are therefore not obliged to provide this information as the following exemption applies:

Section 21 – Information Accessible by Other Means.

This is an absolute, class based exemption which means that a public authority is not required to consider the public interest in disclosure.

Under Section 16, the duty to provide advice and assistance, please see the below links:

Question 1 - Facial Recognition Technology | South Wales Police

Question 2 - https://science.police.uk/site/assets/files/3396/frt-equitability-study_mar2023.pdf

Question 3 - Facial Recognition Technology | South Wales Police

Question 4 - https://www.south-wales.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/south-wales/about-us/frt/live-facial-recognition/live-frt-deployments/canlyniadau-lleoliadau-results-of-deployments-for-live-facial-recognition-lfr.pdf

Question 6 - Facial Recognition Technology | South Wales Police

Question 5

272 Officers have completed the training and now have permission to use OIFR where circumstances justify its utilisation.

Question 7

We have provided the information below which includes ongoing support costs, development and purchases for the financial years 23/24 and 24/25 (Please note that this is how it is held in our system).

The total cost is £917903.04 across the 2 years.