Conservatives call for greater use of facial recognition from police

Philp’s vision extends beyond facial recognition, encompassing a broader strategy to leverage digital footprints in crime-fighting. He is also pushing for a requirement that officers actively follow up on geo-tagged items, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, bicycles, and even cars, when their location data "pings" at a suspect’s known address. This proactive approach seeks to close a perceived loophole where digital evidence, though available, is not always acted upon promptly or effectively. Furthermore, the Conservative plan addresses the growing problem of stolen goods being openly advertised and sold online. Philp insists that officers should be mandated to monitor such listings and take decisive action to recover stolen property, thereby disrupting the illicit market and returning belongings to their rightful owners.

The existing facial recognition database, a sophisticated system capable of matching faces using artificial intelligence, currently holds approximately 10 million images. Philp has lauded the technological prowess of this system, acknowledging its potential to be a game-changer in forensic identification. However, his central criticism remains the absence of a nationwide mandate compelling police forces to consistently and uniformly utilise it. He argues that without such a requirement, the technology’s full potential remains untapped, leading to missed opportunities in solving crimes and identifying perpetrators. Similarly, the proposal for geo-tagged items is designed to ensure that tangible, actionable intelligence – a device’s precise location – translates directly into police action, requiring an officer to physically investigate by knocking on the door where the device is located. For online listings of stolen goods, the mandate would compel officers to actively pursue and recover items, moving beyond simply logging a crime number. "These are the basics the public expect," Philp stated, articulating a widely held sentiment that visible and proactive policing is essential for public confidence.

The Home Office, in response, has confirmed its significant ongoing investment in facial recognition technology, signaling governmental support for its development and deployment. A spokesperson asserted that "This government is already turning the tide on crime," implicitly linking current strategies with positive outcomes. They further elaborated on the government’s broader commitment to law enforcement, highlighting major reforms designed to ensure local policing effectively protects communities. A new National Police Service is also on the horizon, envisioned to tackle serious crime through specialist capabilities, indicating a strategic overhaul of national policing structures. The Home Office also reported a substantial increase in neighbourhood officers, noting a 22% rise in just one year, positioning more personnel back on the beat to actively combat crime. They also proudly cited statistics indicating that homicides are at their lowest level in nearly 50 years, and that theft and other local offences are declining, while charges are simultaneously rising significantly.

These three core elements – mandatory facial recognition use, proactive geo-tracking of stolen items, and enforcement against online sales of illicit goods – form the backbone of the Conservative party’s "Take Back Our Streets" plan. Chris Philp asserts that this comprehensive strategy would be fully implemented and underpinned by a significant increase in police presence, pledging an additional 10,000 police officers. He claimed this expansion would be fully funded by an annual investment of £800 million, underscoring the party’s commitment to resourcing its law-and-order agenda. Philp passionately articulated the public’s expectation for thorough investigation: "The public expects clear evidence to always be followed up. When they show the police an image of a suspect or the location of stolen goods they want action, not just a crime number." This statement underscores a perceived gap between public expectation and current police practice, which the Conservative plan aims to bridge.

In the broader political landscape, Labour has also put forward its own pledges regarding police numbers, promising an additional 13,000 neighbourhood police by the end of the current Parliament. This commitment highlights a cross-party recognition of the importance of visible policing and community engagement. Between April 2023 and March this year, an additional 3,814 officers have already been hired, demonstrating an ongoing effort to bolster police ranks, regardless of specific party proposals.

Beyond operational tactics, the Conservatives have also called for a significant structural change in the governance of policing. They advocate for the reversal of a pivotal 2014 decision made by then-Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, which stripped the Home Secretary of the power to directly instruct police chiefs and transferred this authority to the College of Policing. Philp argues that rather than the College of Policing being subsumed into the proposed National Police Service, the Home Office should reassert its role in setting standards and operational guidance for policing across the country. He contended that a lack of sufficient action under the current framework necessitates a return of this power to the Home Secretary, allowing for more direct governmental influence over policing practices and priorities.

However, the College of Policing has offered a counter-perspective on this historical and ongoing debate. A spokesperson for the College clarified that the Home Secretary has never possessed a general statutory power to issue direct instructions to chief constables on individual operational matters. They explained that the 2014 Act specifically transferred the function of issuing codes of practice to the College of Policing, while simultaneously granting the Home Secretary a new, albeit different, power: the ability to direct the College on areas deemed crucial for improving the efficiency, effectiveness, or integrity of policing. The College further highlighted its proactive role, noting that in 2023, it released updated guidance for police forces in England and Wales, mandating officers to "follow all reasonable lines of enquiry" for all crime types. This guidance, they added, was well-received by the then-Conservative government, suggesting a degree of existing cooperation and alignment on best practices. The College of Policing spokesperson concluded by expressing openness to future discussions during the next Parliament regarding the evolving landscape of policing, welcoming an "informed discussion on the right balance of powers between the Home Secretary, national policing bodies and individual forces."

The proposed introduction of a National Police Service, as understood by the BBC, is primarily aimed at streamlining national responsibilities within policing. This strategic reorganisation is designed to free up local forces, enabling them to concentrate more effectively on tackling crime within their specific communities. The Home Office spokesperson reiterated this commitment, stating, "We are freeing up forces through investing in technology, including a national facial recognition system for police, so they can spend more time on the frontline – visible in communities and tackling crime." This overarching strategy aligns with the Conservative party’s broader vision of a more technologically advanced, efficiently managed, and visibly present police force, ultimately striving to enhance public safety and restore confidence in law enforcement.