Lincolnshire PCC wants more AI to fight crime

On Wednesday, Mr Jones' proposed 4.45% increase to the council tax precept for 2024/25 was approved by councillors[1].

The commissioner pledged to use some of the money to "explore and exploit emerging technologies such as facial recognition" to catch criminals quicker.

All police forces in England and Wales are being encouraged by the government to harness the benefits of innovative technologies.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Facial recognition, including live facial recognition, is a powerful tool that has a sound legal basis, confirmed by the courts.

It has already helped the police to catch a large number of serious criminals, including for murder and sexual offences."

However, Big Brother Watch, which campaigns for privacy, is opposed.

Madeleine Stone, the group's senior advocacy officer, said: "Facial recognition is a really intrusive, worryingly inaccurate surveillance technology."

References

1. ^ approved by councillors (www.bbc.co.uk)