Police Test AI System To Monitor 'suspicious' Driver Journeys

Police forces are testing AI technology designed to identify and track "suspicious" journeys by drivers.

The system uses an app that analyses data from automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to flag vehicles potentially linked to criminal activity. Known as the "find and profile" app, it can map routes and pinpoint journeys that police may choose to stop. While it has so far been used primarily to detect suspects involved in "county lines" drug operations, documents obtained by Liberty Investigates and The Telegraph indicate that police see potential for wider deployment.

Plans are underway to roll out the technology nationally, prompting concerns from privacy campaigners about "mission creep" that could subject innocent drivers to intrusive monitoring. Jake Hurfurt of Big Brother Watch warned: "Using AI to analyse the millions of number plates it picks up will only make the surveillance dragnet even more intrusive. ANPR was introduced as a counter-terror measure. Now it is used to enforce driving rules."

Dr Xavier L'Hoiry of Sheffield University, who has researched police use of ANPR, said: "Most people are comfortable with targeted surveillance of criminals, but indiscriminate application is when alarm bells start to ring."

Chief Constable Chris Todd, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council data and analytics board, said: "Data protection and security measures are in place, and an ethics panel has been established to oversee the work." A Home Office spokesperson added: "The application uses a small subset of data collected by the national ANPR network to help indicate criminal activity, with strong security and data protection measures in place."

The Johnson Partnership, Derby