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Please see the statement below regarding an evaluation by the National Physical Laboratory published today of the accuracy and equitability of Police National Database’s retrospective facial recognition (FR) technology tool.

The NPL report has been published alongside the launch of a consultation on police forces’ use of FR and biometrics, and research on public attitudes to police use of FR technology.

The statement is in the names of the following Police and Crime Commissioners:

• APCC Lead on Forensics, Darryl Preston (PCC for Cambridgeshire)
• APCC Joint Lead on Race Disparity, Equality and Human Rights Alison Lowe (Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for West Yorkshire)
• APCC Joint Leads on Performance, Data and New Tech Ethics, John Tizard (PCC for Bedfordshire) and Chris Nelson, (PCC for Gloucestershire)

“The report from the National Physical Laboratory evaluating the accuracy and equitability of the Police National Database’s (PND) retrospective facial recognition technology tool sheds light on a concerning in-built bias. This has meant that, in some circumstances, it is more likely to incorrectly match black and Asian people than their white counterparts. The language is technical but, behind the detail, it seems clear that technology has been deployed into operational policing without adequate safeguards in place.

“We acknowledge that mitigations have been introduced, and that this report relates specifically to the PND algorithm, not other facial recognition technologies currently in testing or use by law enforcement. Although there is no evidence of adverse impact in any individual case, that is more by luck than design. System failures have been known for some time, yet these were not shared with those communities affected, nor with leading sector stakeholders.

“We recognise the importance of embracing emerging technologies in order to combat crime, but governance and accountability on behalf of communities is not a “nice to have”. These technologies are increasingly invasive and sophisticated. If they are to gain the trust and support of the public, particularly those groups historically mistrustful of the police, then full transparency is vital. They require robust and independent assessment prior to deployment, meaningful ongoing oversight and accountability to the public when things go wrong.

“We call on policing and the Government to acknowledge the errors made and to work with those responsible for policing governance, locally and nationally, to ensure that scrutiny and transparency are at the heart of the police reform agenda and the forthcoming White Paper. Policing cannot be left to mark its own homework.”

Editors’ notes

• The report can be found on gov.uk