The government will launch a consultation on the introduction of facial recognition at our ports within the next year.
Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson was quizzed on the introduction of the technology in Keys this week.
The Middle MHK said that her department is working with the Chief Constable and the Attorney General’s Chambers
She said: “As part of this work, the department is committed to ensuring that we respect the human rights and dignity of all individuals in deploying facial recognition at our island’s entry points.
“This will enhance our ability to detect and apprehend criminal and terrorists effectively, by ensuring a law enforcement presence for all our main air and sea arrivals, we will improve security and increase public confidence.
“Part of this work will also include consideration of facial recognition for those leaving the island in terms of photographic identification.”,
She added that the department’s preferred way of confirming who is coming on and off the island is through introducing ID checks on the Steam Packet, while acknowledging that most airlines already require some form of ID for most passengers.
First?
After a question from Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas over whether this means the island would be the first in the British Isles to introduce the measure, Mrs Poole-Wilson said the government was mindful of its obligations to the Common Travel Area.
She said: “I think this work is very important that there is full engagement with hon members of this house and the wider public, because the aim is still to enable people to move freely and properly, whilst having a proportionate and risk based approach to apprehending criminals and those who would seek to cause harm to the island.”
See the full line of questioning below:
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