19/03/2008

Cameras Capture Crooks

Plans have been revealed to introduce "smart" CCTV cameras.

The Facial Images National Database project will feature enhanced photographs using "facial mapping" techniques. When combined with computerised facial recognition techniques, CCTV cameras could alarm police when a known criminal is spotted.

David McIntosh, Chief Executive of software group OmniPerception said: "These are very important early steps and they will eventually build a good database.

"Facial imaging is already being used to improve policing efficiency in some areas and release more beat cops to go out in the street."

A further development will see the release of software that will identify strange behaviour. Hand-held computers are also likely to be rolled out to police officers. The Home Office has already allocated £50 million for this new technology.

Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, Peter Neyroud, said: "We are trying to get a really disciplined understanding of how to use these tools before the Olympics."

Neyroud added that "second generation" computers could be in use by 2012 which would be able to take fingerprints, access images from CCTV cameras and download records from the Police National Computer.

(DS)


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