The British Grand Prix, expected to host around 480,000 people from July 4-7, will once again see the use of facial recognition technology by Northamptonshire Police. The force first employed this technology at the Silverstone race in 2023 and is now set to use it again at the grand prix.
Det Supt Richard Tompkins of Northamptonshire Police expressed pride in working with Silverstone and emphasized the importance of staying vigilant against potential challenges. He stated that the technology works by scanning faces with a camera and matching biometrics against a watch list. Signs and QR codes will be used to clearly indicate where the live facial recognition is being utilized.
The goal, according to Mr. Tompkins, is to prevent criminals from attending the event, especially those wanted in Northamptonshire or surrounding areas. Manual checks, including fingerprints, will also be conducted if someone is identified using the technology to minimize the risk of wrongful identification.
Previous concerns surrounding the use of facial recognition technology included issues related to its application and data protection. However, Mr. Tompkins emphasized that the primary aim is public safety, similar to the initial concerns about CCTV in public towns. He believed that as long as it contributes to keeping people safe, using facial recognition technology is a worthwhile endeavor.
Northamptonshire Police is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all attendees at the British Grand Prix.
