The Labor-run parliament has been accused of acting like Big Brother, announcing plans for a high-tech surveillance camera network that could collect £15m a year from motorists.
Nearly double the number of roads in Hammersmith and Fulham could be covered with ‘intelligent driverless cameras’ to spot more vehicles violating traffic rules, some of which are new low-traffic districts (LTN).
This ‘cost-effective’ system, which could cost up to £15m a year, would be ‘self-financed’ through fixed penalty notices issued by the system.
The West London Municipality will eliminate the need for a control center currently monitored by surveillance cameras by law enforcement officers, as the new system will allow staff to work from home.
The ‘Procurement Strategy’ report reveals how the council is planning a four-year contract for the CCTV network to “take advantage of new technological advances in camera technology.”
The system pays for itself as “the use of unmanned cameras leads to efficiencies in ensuring that these are self-funded”, generating fines sufficient to pay for projected costs of up to £15m a year. There is growing speculation that it is possible.
Under the headline “relentlessly economically efficient,” the report described how cameras “catch more potential violations than police officers and operate without the need for a dedicated control room.” It can be done,” he points out.
“Cost Effective and Efficient”
Hammersmith Fulham’s London Borough now has 58 pan-zoom-tilt cameras covering 74 ‘scenes’, with staff monitoring live footage to spot violations when they occur. There is a need.
However, the new system is “cost effective because it is more efficient” and has a “range of monitoring up to 136 sites.”
The report explains how the camera software identifies drivers who break the rules, compiles video evidence and sends it to the cloud, stating: “This means that our staff does not need to monitor the cameras in real time, nor store the recorded footage,” he said on site. “
Furthermore, “potential violations can be automatically captured and later reviewed by officers … saving officers time currently spent monitoring cameras, or freeing them up for other duties … The unattended system will allow us to work from home, eliminating the need for shift work and the associated costs.”
“Reviews and handling of violations can be done entirely from home.”
AI cameras are intrusive
Jake Harvelt, director of research at Big Brother Watch, said the proliferation of artificial intelligence-powered cameras was “intrusive.”
Furfurt described the movement of the council as similar to George Orwell’s 1984 novel Big Brother, adding: He is the de facto decision maker when it comes to fines for drivers. ”
