Plans to install permanent live facial recognition (LFR) cameras on Oxford Street have sparked a sharp divide among shoppers and businesses, with civil liberties groups warning of a slide toward a surveillance society while retailers and some visitors back the technology as a necessary crime-fighting tool. The proposed cameras, which could be mounted on lampposts or other permanent structures, would replace the current mobile system mounted on vans that patrol the capital. Mayor Sadiq Khan has indicated that Oxford Street, recently pedestrianised, would be one of six West End areas to receive the cameras next year.
Mixed reactions from shoppers and tourists
Metro spoke to a range of people on Britain’s busiest shopping street. Norwegian tourist Knud Lies, 69, said civil liberties were too important to sacrifice even if the goal is lower crime. He told Metro: ‘It’s a difficult question as fighting crime is obviously important. But I think civil liberties and protecting those are more important in this case. If this plan (for LFR cameras) was suggested in Norway I would be against it. I think the intrusion is too great.’
Chloe Marshall, 28, from Northampton, expressed unease about potential errors and hacking. She said: ‘I don’t like the idea of this in case the technology makes a mistake and in general it seems intrusive. I think there are too many cameras already. It seems like we are always being watched, I would like to be sure that these cameras could not be hacked or something like that. It makes me uneasy.’ German tourist Kasper Moller echoed similar fears, saying: ‘It’s a difficult debate as everyone wants less crime. But civil liberties are very important and who knows if the technology is 100% accurate? I think as a tourist walking down Oxford Street I would not like to have my face analysed and what if I am wrongly identified as a bad guy. It’s a step too far I think.’
Businesses and some shoppers back the cameras
However, security guards and retail staff on the street were overwhelmingly in favour. A member of staff at a major retail chain said: ‘We are fighting an uphill battle against criminals who are stealing from us and our customers. The police can’t keep up with it and it’s not their fault as they just don’t have the resources. If the facial recognition can help them then I think we have to back the decision. I know businesses are in favour and I think the public will get used to it. Just like they have got used to CCTV.’
A security guard at a flagship tech store added: ‘If people saw the things we see here every day I think they would back having the cameras. The criminals know this is an area where people are carrying valuables and because they are on holiday are a bit distracted so easy targets. We see people we know are bad guys because of their body language and sometimes because they have been arrested in the past. The cameras would catch them.’ Some shoppers also supported the move. Mark Culley, 52, said: ‘I think the streets of London have become plagued by phone thieves and shoplifters. We have to do something to tackle them and this will help law and order, I’m in favour.’ Peter, 41, a Hungarian national who visits London regularly for work, said: ‘In the past few years things have got so much worse. The crime is terrible and the law is too soft here. Yes bring in the cameras or anything that can stop this crime.’
Met trial results and civil liberties concerns
The Metropolitan Police has already trialled LFR technology in Croydon, where crime was reduced by 10% and 173 arrests were made in six months. A Met statement said: ‘It is important to note that static systems are only turned in when officers are present on the ground and signs will make it clear that deployment is taking place. The public would rightly expect us to look at technology to keep the busiest parts of our capital safe.’ They added that the exact location of cameras was yet to be decided.
Civil liberties groups have called for more research and testing. Ruth Ehrlich, of the human rights organisation Liberty, said: ‘This technology scans the faces of everyone who passes by, regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing. If live facial recognition is to be deployed in one of the country’s busiest shopping and tourist destinations, there must be full transparency about how it will be used, what safeguards are in place and how its impact on people’s rights will be monitored. The government has promised a legal framework for live facial recognition. The Met should not be rolling out any more of this technology before the framework is in place. Permanent cameras on Oxford Street would be a significant escalation in our nation’s capital.’
A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘The Mayor is committed to transforming Oxford Street into a world class pedestrian-friendly and safe destination. As part of delivering that the Mayor is working with the Met, West End task force and Oxford Street Development Corporation on making best use of technology. Backed by record funding from City Hall the Met are leading the way in using the latest technology including E-bikes, drones and Live Facial Recognition to arrest dangerous criminals and tackle and prevent violence in the capital.’ The spokesperson noted that in Westminster there had been 14,000 fewer offences in the past year since facial recognition cameras were introduced, and added: ‘The mayor is committed to ensuring the Met is open and transparent around where, when and how facial recognition technology is used.’
