Police chiefs have been urged to bring in controversial new 'Big Brother' technology to crack down on the rising tide of football hooliganism across Scotland.
His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Craig Naylor says the introduction of Live Facial Recognition can prevent future violence and disorder and reduce policing costs.
The AI-driven technology uses video cameras to photograph people in public places. It then compares or matches their photographs to those on a police watchlist database within a matter of seconds. Police officers can then move quickly into crowds and arrest suspects. The technology can also be used to identify suspected hooligans wearing masks or face coverings, though less effectively.
Technology already used in England and Wales
Live Facial Recognition is already used by around six police forces in England and Wales including the Met in London, but is yet to be introduced north of the border.
Naylor, in his annual report, described recent football violence and related disorder witnessed in Scotland as 'a situation that cannot continue to be tolerated'. He referred to the shameful scenes following the Scottish cup tie in March between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox which saw pitch invasions by both sets of supporters and more than 37 arrests.
A subsequent review by SFA security consultant Mark Blackbourne found 'life threatening violence', with cops 'petrified' of policing another game at the Rangers ground. Both clubs' 'Ultras' were also accused of acting like 'organised crime groups'.
Naylor's call for technology
In his own report Naylor said facial recognition was one way of preventing future football related disorder like the scenes at Ibrox. He also said the technology can be used to identify fans who attend games in breach of football banning orders.
Naylor added: 'Police and law enforcement partners must seek to exploit, with appropriate safeguards, advancements in operational technology such as facial recognition.'
'The publication of the Scottish FA's independent review into the disorder surrounding the Rangers v Celtic Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Ibrox should serve as a watershed moment for Scottish football.'
'The scenes witnessed, including pitch incursions, assaults, the use of pyrotechnics and threats to public safety, were unacceptable and caused injuries to those involved. A situation that cannot continue to be tolerated.'
Naylor continued: 'In excess of 550 officers were deployed police the game in March depriving communities of those police officers.'
'Restricting the number of fans allowed to attend matches, banning orders with more rigour, requirements to use modern technologies such as facial recognition to prevent the attendance of banned individuals should all be explored and enacted to ensure that this behaviour is stopped.'
'The vast majority of supporters attend games responsibly and peacefully; they deserve a football culture that is safe, welcoming to all and free from the actions of those who continue to tarnish the reputation of Scotland's national game.'
Broader applications and criticism
In the 34-page report published today Naylor said facial recognition could also be used to target high-risk sex offenders, organised crime groups, and known violent thugs. He also said the challenge for police and others was not whether to adopt technologies, like facial recognition, but how quickly they can do so.
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland - led by Craig Naylor - is an independent body that scrutinises Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
Neil Cowan, Scotland Programme Director at Amnesty International said: 'Facial Recognition Technology is a dangerous and discriminatory tool of surveillance that should be scrapped, not rolled out further across the UK.'
'The Home Office's data shows that where FRT is currently used in England and Wales it is significantly less accurate in scanning the faces of people of colour, and in England it has led to repeated cases of harassment and false arrest.'
'Police Scotland is currently considering whether to role out this technology of mass surveillance, which is extremely concerning. To move forward with FRT would bring about a historic shift in the relationship between the police and the public in Scotland and we want to see its use ruled out.'
Unison which represents civilian police workers yesterday questioned plans for facial recognition, due to office staff numbers being cut recently. Branch secretary David Malcolm said: 'Police staff are the people who would operate facial recognition, handle the data and stand behind it in court. There is not a single line in this report about them. The Chief Inspector wants the technology and has not asked who works it.'
'His own report confirms that short-term contracted staff are being let go to balance the budget.'
'Police Scotland cannot run new technology with fewer people and no plan.'
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: 'We have a duty to use new technologies to safeguard our communities. New technologies can offer transformative opportunities for modern policing, through supporting investigations and identification.'
'We want people to recognise both the value of new technologies and be confident that Police Scotland has the right governance and measures in place, and reflects our commitment to human rights, ethical oversight, and transparency.'
Jack Coulson of Big Brother Watch said: 'Police Scotland should absolutely not follow the dangerous lead of their English counterparts, who have been experimenting on the public with this invasive, discriminatory software for years.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Any deployment of new technology would be an operational matter for the Chief Constable under the scrutiny of the Scottish Police Authority, provided it complies with data protection laws, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner's statutory Code of Practice.'
