Latest news with #FacialRecognition
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Policing operation underway at Silverstone for British GP
Facial recognition, armed officers and search teams would be on hand during the British Grand Prix, a police force 480,000 people were expected to attend the 2025 Formula 1 Qatar Airways British Grand Prix at Police said it would deliver a robust policing operation from Thursday until Pete Basham, event commander for the force, said: "This is a major operation involving a wide range of policing resources, as well as support from other emergency services and partner agencies." Supt Basham said: "It is a great opportunity to engage with the public, but give that wider reassurance that we are here to promote public safety."He said they will have officers "inside the circuit on patrol" for music events and "specialist community operations" outside of the are also on standby with a traffic operation in place "to ensure smooth" access and exit from the site."It is a huge event for the county, and so our approach will be reflective of that.""We are here if people need us," he added. Live Facial Recognition was introduced to the event in 2023 and will be in operation again, police said. The technology works by using a camera to scan faces to match biometrics against those held on a watch addition to uniformed and plainclothed officers, specialist resources, including armed officers, search teams, disruption officers, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition units, were set to patrol the circuit. Supt Basham added: "We start planning for this event when last year's event ends. We do a structured debrief and look at what has gone wrong. We look at crime data that comes in and use all of that information to plan our response for next year." People started to arrive for the UK's biggest sporting event on Sunday, about 160,000 are expected to be in attendance to watch the main race. Police encouraged visitors to the event to look at the crime prevention and safety advice on their website to prepare them for their visit. There will also be concerts with performers including Sam Fender, RAYE, Fat Boy Slim and Becky Hill. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News18
6 days ago
- News18
Drones, Bomb Squads, CRPF Cover: Multi-Layer Security Across J-K For Upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Last Updated: This year's Yatra has been trimmed to 38 days, a strategic move to lessen threat exposure while retaining the pilgrimage's essence. Amarnath Yatra 2025: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has geared up to as the annual pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Amarnath is set to begin on July 3. The security agencies including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other agencies have launched full-scale surveillance and verification operations in a bid to thwart any potential threats along the pathway. Security arrangements have been devised with precision, marshalling significant resources and strategies to counter any menace effectively. The offline registrations began on Monday for devotees who have not yet registered for the Yatra through online mode. A large number of devotees were seen at the centres set up by the administration. The first batch of pilgrims will be flagged off from the Jammu base camp on July 2, while the yatra will commence officially the next day via the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Devotees Undeterred By Terror Threats Despite recent security threats, the spirit of the devotees remains undiminished. 'The people are enthusiastic this time. There is no fear (due to the Pahalgam attack). Arrangements are good. The administration is with us," a devotee who came to the centre for registration told news agency ANI. Multi-Layer Security The authorities have designed an elaborate security framework involving CRPF, J&K Police, and the Indian Army. A total of 581 companies from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) alongside personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been deployed for the Amarnath Yatra 2025. Jammu Police has also set up several checkpoints across the city in coordination with paramilitary forces as part of daily anti-sabotage inspections. These will remain active 24×7 along highways, city outskirts, and near the base camp. Advanced tools like Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) are also being deployed at crowded areas. Police are also conducting random checks at hotels, guesthouses, and lodgment centres, targeting suspicious movement. For the first time, jammers would be installed to protect the convoys from potential threats. Satellite phones will be provided to security personnel. Pilgrims and pony riders will be monitored using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Dedicated PCR vans from the police and CRPF will accompany the yatra. The CRPF has also rolled out a robust multi-layered security plan along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims. Jammu-Srinagar Highway is one of the vital routes for thousands of pilgrims. The CRPF has intensified surveillance, deployed K-9 (dog) squads alongside its personnel along the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a key route used by thousands of pilgrims, and strengthened highway patrols, with a special focus on sensitive stretches, such as the Udhampur sector. SSP Jammu Joginder Singh, along with senior officers and SPG, reviewed the Nagrota–Saloora stretch on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Officers were briefed on SOPs and alerted to risks, especially in ongoing construction zones. In addition to these measures, a comprehensive deployment will include Road Opening Parties (ROPs) to secure and clear the routes, Quick Action Teams (QATs) for immediate response to threats, Bomb Disposal Squads (BDS) will detect and neutralise explosives, and K9 units (specially trained sniffer dogs) and drones will be used for aerial surveillance. Security Forces Conduct Mock Drill Security forces and the civil administration conducted intensive inspections and trial runs ahead of the pilgrimage. At Yatri Niwas, Jammu's base camp, buses were dispatched under full security cover to test logistics and response systems. In a preemptive effort to ensure safety during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2025, a joint mock landslide drill was conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the JKSDRF (Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Response Force) at Samroli, Toldi Nallah, on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday. The exercise aimed to assess emergency preparedness in case of landslides or natural disasters during the pilgrimage. Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya said the entire dry run process was being monitored closely. 'The Divisional Commissioner, IG, and all senior officers are monitoring the entire dry run process of the drill. At the same time, all preparations have been completed here. Tokens will be distributed at Saraswati Dham. We urge the people to come in large numbers. We will provide them with all the necessary things, and no one will face any issues. We have full preparations for everything," he said while addressing reporters. The simulation involved rescuing stranded vehicles and providing immediate aid to injured pilgrims, with security and disaster response teams efficiently coordinating evacuation and medical assistance. Amarnath Yatra 2025 This year's Yatra has been trimmed to 38 days, a strategic move to lessen threat exposure while retaining the pilgrimage's essence. The Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave Shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at an altitude of about 3,888 meters in the hills of Jammu and Kashmir. The cave houses a naturally formed ice Shivling, believed to represent Lord Shiva, and draws lakhs of devotees every year. The Yatra is typically held during the Shravan month (July to August) as per the Hindu calendar, under the supervision of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and with coordinated support from security and civil administration. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Amarnath jammu and kashmir Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: June 30, 2025, 12:39 IST News india Drones, Bomb Squads, CRPF Cover: Multi-Layer Security Across J-K For Upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Live Facial Recognition vans to be deployed in Southend tomorrow
FACIAL recognition vans will operating in Southend tomorrow as part of Essex Police's efforts to keep the city safe. Southend has seen high visitor numbers today as sun-seekers from across south Essex packed the beach. Live Facial Recognition is a tool used by police forces to identify wanted individuals among the public - it does not store the information of pedestrians who are not already on police databases. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Our Live Facial Recognition vans will be in Southend tomorrow, Sunday June 22, as part of our policing plan to keep the city safe. "If you've got questions about how the technology works, please speak to our officers and they'll be happy to explain." Busy - Sun-seekers have flocked to Southend in recent days (Image: Lucy North) Southend seafront has seen large visitor numbers throughout the day as residents seek to make the most of this weekend's mini-heatwave. Live Facial Recognition has been deployed in Southend on numerous occasions in the past, with vans parked on both the seafront and High Street. You can find out more information about Essex Police's use of Live Facial Recognition at
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
Christchurch woman alleges two-day captivity, seeks emergency relocation from Kāinga Ora housing
Alleged assault and captivity in Kāinga Ora home sparks urgent rehousing plea A Christchurch woman has alleged she was held captive and repeatedly assaulted over two days in May, 2025, inside her Kāinga Ora residence. She has since requested emergency relocation, citing continued threats to her safety and emotional trauma from remaining in the property where the events took place. The woman, referred to as Joanna* for legal reasons, reported that the incident began when a man she had briefly spoken to at a bus stop weeks earlier arrived unannounced at her home on Tong Yin Street. Believing it to be a friend, she opened the door and was allegedly attacked and forced inside. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Semua yang Perlu Anda Ketahui Tentang Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo Also read: Top 10 safest countries of the world in 2025 Joanna claims she was strangled, punched, kicked, and sexually assaulted multiple times during the ordeal. She said she was held in her upstairs bedroom without access to medication, was not allowed near windows, and was kept under constant threat. Live Events Emergency services respond, accused detained at scene After nearly two days, Joanna said she escaped after discovering the man asleep in another room. She fled to a neighbor's house and contacted police. Officers, including the armed offenders squad, entered the property and arrested the alleged offender at the scene. She was hospitalized for several weeks, undergoing facial surgeries and treatment for head trauma. Joanna says she is now partially blind in one eye and suffers from a concussion and post-traumatic stress disorder. Photographic evidence taken in hospital reportedly supports her claims. A man has been remanded in custody and has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including rape, kidnapping, and strangulation. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted. Joanna reports unwanted contact from prison, corrections admits oversight Joanna also alleges that since the man's incarceration, she has received letters and phone calls indirectly linked to him. She believes the letters were sent by another inmate on the accused's behalf, violating court-imposed no-contact orders. Also read: Will NZ supermarkets start scanning your face? What shoppers need to know about Facial Recognition Technology Jo Harrex, general manager of Christchurch Men's Prison, acknowledged that a systems failure allowed the correspondence to occur. 'I acknowledge how distressing this unwanted contact would have been for the victim, and we have taken immediate steps to prevent it from happening again,' Harrex said in a statement. Corrections confirmed the inmate had a no-contact order and admitted the oversight in screening outgoing mail. Measures have now been reinforced to prevent similar breaches, with staff reminded to monitor mail activity more closely. Kāinga Ora relocation request faces delays despite support from advocates Joanna has requested to be moved from her current Kāinga Ora property due to safety concerns. With the support of hospital staff and a social worker, she claims to have contacted her housing manager weeks ago but says she received no response until media inquiries were made. Liz Krause, Canterbury regional director of Kāinga Ora, stated that tenants seeking relocation for safety reasons must apply through the Ministry of Social Development. She added that no contact was logged from Joanna until recently, though Joanna disputes this and says her advocates have reached out on her behalf. Krause confirmed the timeline for rehousing depends on the availability of other properties. Joanna says the delay is unacceptable and is exacerbating her trauma. 'I hate that house. I hate it,' she said. Also read: New Zealand trust, Green MPs at loggerheads over police funding, crime control A Christchurch woman claims she was held captive, assaulted, and raped in her Kāinga Ora home by an intruder. Despite ongoing safety threats, she says requests for emergency relocation remain unanswered. Corrections admits a communication failure enabled contact from the accused while in prison. Authorities continue investigating the incident Christchurch woman alleges two-day captivity, seeks emergency relocation from Kāinga Ora housing Joanna has since written to Christchurch Men's Prison to block future correspondence and is working with authorities to ensure her safety as she awaits a new housing assignment.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Scoop
Retail Crime Significantly Under-reported
Press Release – Retail NZ Retail NZs COMS Retail Crime Report 2024 found that 99% of respondents, representing more than 1500 stores across New Zealand and online, experienced some form of retail crime or anti-social behaviour, totalling 140,746 incidents. Retail crime rates are significantly under-reported in New Zealand, by almost 40%, a new report by Retail NZ has found. Retail NZ's COMS Retail Crime Report 2024 found that 99% of respondents, representing more than 1500 stores across New Zealand and online, experienced some form of retail crime or anti-social behaviour, totalling 140,746 incidents. The incidents ranged from credit card fraud and shoplifting through to threatening behaviour, criminal damage and physical assault. But almost 40% of those retail crimes were not reported to Police, Retail NZ Chief Executive Carolyn Young says. There were a range of reasons why respondents did not report incidents to Police, such as low value items not being worth the effort; the retailer discovered the offence too late or dealt with it directly. Some also raised concerns that Police would not do anything. 'Our 2023 Retail Crime Report found that the cost of retail crime is around $2.6 billion a year. This cost flows through from retailers to customers to the New Zealand economy, and so is a major brake on the retail sector's contribution to economic growth. In this latest survey, we focused on identifying the actual level of retail crime in New Zealand, confirming that it is much higher than official statistics show,' Ms Young says. 'Every day, retailers are dealing with threatening, violent or simply unpleasant customers, who are trying to steal or damage their property. Almost every retail worker has been affected by crime and aggression which is traumatic for those directly involved and their colleagues.' This is a serious health and safety issue for retail employers, she says. Retail NZ strongly recommends that all crime incidents are reported to the Police, regardless of the scale of the offending. 'This is essential to enable Police to track the full extent of retail crime, ensure that they can assign appropriate resources and keep track of repeat offenders. Full reporting also enables policy makers and Government to see the full scale of retail crime, and implement appropriate policies and support to the sector,' Ms Young says. COMS Systems Director Paul Andrew says it is disappointing that shoplifting and aggressive behaviour have increased, impacting not only profitability but also staff safety and wellbeing. However, the support for Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) within the retail sector is encouraging. 'Embracing technology is essential — it's the future, and it's here to stay,' Mr Andrew says. There has been positive progress on efforts to prevent retail crime in the last 12 months, including Foodstuffs North Island's successful trial of FRT, and the establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Group for the victims of retail crime. Ms Young is a member of this group. Police are rolling out new Community Beat Teams in cities and towns across Aotearoa New Zealand, and stronger sentencing legislation has been enacted. Retail NZ has formed a working group comprising a number of large retailers which is developing agreed approaches to crime prevention measures including legislative change and technology like FRT.
