A borough in west London has given the green light to implement facial recognition technology and AI-enhanced cameras within its CCTV systems.

The Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s cabinet has allocated over £3 million to “upgrade” its existing camera network.

Currently, the borough has the highest camera density in the UK, with more than 2,000 cameras already in operation per capita.

The advocacy group Big Brother Watch criticized the council’s plan to utilize facial recognition, labeling it as “an unprecedented level of mass surveillance, signaling a significant erosion of public privacy as we know it.”

The council explained that these live facial recognition cameras will be deployed in areas with high crime rates, capable of “real-time facial matching against a designated police database.”

According to the council’s cabinet report, there are plans to position two cameras at ten specified locations, including outside Shepherd’s Bush Market along Uxbridge Road and on Wood Lane near the Westfield Shopping Centre.

However, the rollout of facial recognition technology is “heavily dependent on police cooperation,” with the council reportedly receiving optimistic feedback during initial discussions.

The Metropolitan Police currently operates one pilot site featuring static live facial recognition cameras in Croydon, with analysis of its effectiveness anticipated this autumn.

Additionally, Hammersmith and Fulham’s plans include AI functionality for 500 cameras.

The report indicates that the introduction of AI will “facilitate improved video playback, automatic vehicle tracking, and the deployment of additional tools aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of the camera system,” thereby boosting the efficiency and response times of CCTV operators.

The document also notes: “Crucially, this will allow for Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR) across H&F’s camera network, enabling automatic searches of CCTV footage to trace the paths taken by offenders throughout the borough.”

Moreover, the cabinet paper suggested the potential for drones to be incorporated as an “enforcement tool,” pending approval from the Civil Aviation Authority.

One local resident has raised concerns regarding these proposals.

Annie, 35, shared her perspective with BBC London, stating, “My concern is that while cameras respond to incidents after they occur, they don’t actually enhance my sense of safety. Although they may help catch perpetrators post-event, I would prefer that the council invest in preventive measures.”

Conversely, Liah Opah, 19, expressed her excitement about the implementation of facial recognition cameras in Hammersmith and Fulham.

“I think it’s beneficial to be able to swiftly identify individuals engaging in criminal behavior or behaving recklessly in and around the station and nearby areas. I’m quite enthusiastic about the added live facial recognition technology.”

She further asserted that if a crime occurs, “it would facilitate the swift identification of everyone or groups involved, expediting any serious investigation.”

“It will provide assurance to residents like myself who feel uneasy while walking the streets of Hammersmith and Fulham,” she noted.

Jasleen Chaggar, legal and policy officer at Big Brother Watch, informed BBC London: “The council appears to be aggressively pursuing these initiatives with little consideration for the basic rights and freedoms of its residents. They are not only aiming to subject residents to continuous real-time identity verification through live facial recognition, but they also intend to capture footage of individuals in their daily lives to scrutinize their movements and actions retrospectively.”

She added, “There is no committed framework or legislation in place, and legal challenges are ongoing. What other uses might the council employ this for? Will it be for monitoring fly-tipping or enforcing parking regulations? There are no safeguards established, yet the council is moving forward with this.”

Stephen Cowan, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, addressed cabinet members during a meeting on Monday, stating, “This council is leading the way in adopting artificial intelligence to more effectively identify and recognize those who engage in criminal or antisocial activities.

“It is widely recognized that our criminal justice system is malfunctioning. It has been in disrepair for quite some time.

“This is one of the many repercussions of austerity measures, making it increasingly challenging for the judicial system to process individuals effectively.

“Enhancing the quality of evidence—going beyond the standard—is just one of our objectives.”