Concern over use of AI facial recognition cameras

Concerns have been raised over the use of more than 190 facial recognition cameras in a council area.

Both Reform and Green councillors in North Tyneside have raised concerns about the lack of consultation before the devices were installed.

Areas with the new cameras include town centres and busy public places in North Shields, Meadow Well, Wallsend, the Fish Quay, Whitley Bay and Howdon.

North Tyneside Council said the new system had "significantly strengthened" the way it was able to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

A council spokesperson said: "We take our responsibilities around privacy extremely seriously.

"Appropriate safeguards are built into the system, including restricted access, accredited staff, robust governance and oversight, and data protection controls."

The Labour-led authority said it made "no apology" for investing in modern technology to tackle crime, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A Labour group spokesperson said: "The technology is being used within the law, with clear safeguards and controls in place.

"We would much rather invest in measures that help tackle crime ASB than spend our time looking for excuses not to act."

The council's Reform group said it was "all for using CCTV to help tackle crime" but raised concerns about transparency surrounding the cameras.

A spokesperson said: "We shouldn't just be told that everything is legal and leave it at that.

"People have a right to feel safe in their own communities, but they also have a right to know how surveillance technology is being used around them."

Green Party councillor Helen Bell said she was concerned about the cameras and believed some residents "might be surprised to know that these cameras are in our town centres".

"The council have talked about cost effectiveness and safety but haven't been clear about the exact nature of these surveillance cameras," she said.

The council said when the scheme was announced in March, it published detailed information about where the cameras were being installed, how the technology would be used and how it was working with Northumbria Police.

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