FOI 427/25
REQUEST
I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act to request the following information about Home Office funding granted to South Wales Police for its 'Zone of Safety' facial recognition trial (please see the link:
South Wales Police has stated it received Home Office funding for this project. Please provide the following information:
- How much money was granted to South Wales Police for the 'Zone of Safety' live facial recognition trial?
- Please provide copies of any funding applications, requests or evaluations relating to this trial.
RESPONSE
We consulted with our DSD (Digital Services Division) who have provided the below response to your request.
Question 1
£800,000 was made available for the ‘Zone of Safety’ Live facial Recognition Trial
Question 2
The following extract for the funding bid has been lifted from the following document:
Public Safety Commissioning Strategic Policy Development Document
Proposal Title: Live Facial Recognition Zones of Safety
Procurement Process / Delivery Approach
Provisional exploratory work is ongoing to clarify the purchase and delivery model that will deliver this fixed infrastructure LFR capability. It may align with the complimentary LFR bid where the preferred options are a lead force model or a host force model. Alternatively, it is suggested that wherever the location of the ‘zone of safety’, that force will receive funding and undertake the procurement process and maintenance of equipment. If the ‘zones of safety’ are in more than one police force area, the funding will be split between relevant forces and each force will manage their own procurement process.
The preferred option and implementation will be explored by the project team in close collaboration with the force containing the ‘zones of safety’. The confirmed process will be confirmed through the NPCC National Facial Recognition Technology Board chaired by Lindsey Chiswick within the next 6 weeks to allow project timelines to be met.
Operational Deployment Model
The project team will need to establish an operational deployment model. This will need to set out the criteria for use of the technology and the operational support required for the capability. The use of the technology must continue to be lawful, effectively utilised and will not compromise the established use of LFR.
This may include:
- Policies and procedures for use including ethical considerations and oversight.
- A deployment schedule noting that the LFR capability will only be available to use when suitable resources are available.
- Training requirements for staff, including engagement teams.
- The requirement to complete a standardised de-brief and return on investment document.
It suggested that this proof of concept will provide sufficient evidence to support future use and further investment by policing on utilising LFR technology within fixed infrastructure.
Roll out Capability
After the location is identified and equipment purchased, it is hoped that ‘zones of safety’ will be established in set locations within 4 to 6 months. The project will also require trained operators and engagement teams in the areas of deployment.
Financial
Financial Appraisal
At this initial stage, it is likely that detailed information will be in short supply. Please estimate overall costs of the whole project. This should include whether funding is currently available, applied for and the source of the funding. It is accepted that full costs may not be available at this stage but a rough order or magnitude of costs across delivery and full lifecycle, including sustain/development, should be estimated. (Where the project moves to commissioning more detailed costs will be developed)
The information provided below is indicative only. There are a number of variables that will impact on final cost and the sustainability of this project. The early design and road-mapping work completed by the project team will build the level of detail and certainty for the full costs of realising the strategy.
Capital Investment
The preferred option is to establish fixed infrastructure cameras to create a ‘zone of safety’ around an enduring crime hotspot, such as the West End of London, or a transport hub such as Cardiff Station.
Costs will depend on the size of the ‘zone of safety’ to be covered and the number of ‘zones’ created. As a proof of concept, it is suggested that two zones could be used to trial this technology at a total cost of £1.6 million (this would also include the project team).
The estimated cost of coverage of an area including Soho and some of the West End, or a rail transport hub, is likely to be in the range of 800k. This would include the LFR system(s), connectivity, cameras and related hardware, implementation, support and maintenance costs. While it may be possible to use some of the existing camera infrastructure, this will depend on quality of image, location and angle of cameras and data integrity.
|
Investment Opportunity |
Approximate cost |
Total |
|
Creation of a ‘zone of safety’ around an enduring crime hotspot using fixed camera infrastructure. |
£800k Will depend on assessment of existing camera capability. |
£1.6 million. |
|
Creation of a ‘zone of safety’ within a transport hub using fixed camera infrastructure.
|
£800k Will depend on assessment of existing camera capability. |
Ongoing Revenue Costs
It is suggested that as this trial is a proof of concept no ongoing maintenance costs are currently forecasted.
Funding
Please list current funding available and whether additional funding, including approved SR bids which may be available at later stages. If the project is cross departmental, please outline any future funding bids required from or applicable to PSG.
There is no current funding available for the purchase and maintenance of an LFR capability within fixed infrastructure.
Although not dependent on the complimentary Home Office Investment Bid “Live Facial Recognition National Capability” it is expected that in purchasing equipment and servicing agreements within the same framework, economies of scale will provide value for money for the public. This use of LFR should protect the vulnerable, target criminality and reassure the public, particularly in the areas where ‘zones of safety’ are active.
The initial outlay of £1.6 million needs to be available as a priority to allow a project team to be confirmed in post and to ensure the fixed LFR infrastructure is available towards the end of the summer 2024. Throughout the project, benefits will be measured to effectively assess return on investment.
The National Biometrics Function will work closely with the project team and force, or forces, that the ‘zones of safety’ are located in to provide support if needed. The National Biometrics Function has funding through the NPCC for the duration of this project (until March 2025).
Please note there have been no further requests made by South Wales Police in regard to this bid.
No formal evaluation has taken place yet as the technology has only been deployed as a proof of concept on 2 occasions. When further information is available, an evaluation will be undertaken.