FRT and AI video analytics
Case reference FOI2026/01259
Received 3 August 2026
Published 5 August 2026
Request
I'm seeking information about the council's use of facial recognition and AI video analytics technologies. For the purposes of this request, please use the following definitions: * Facial recognition technology (FRT) means any software or system that processes facial images to generate biometric templates for the purpose of identifying, verifying or matching individuals — whether applied in real time to live feeds or retrospectively to recorded footage. * AI video analytics means any software applied to CCTV imagery that automatically detects, classifies, counts, tracks, searches or flags people, vehicles, objects or behaviours. This includes, but is not limited to: person and object detection or classification; people counting and crowd density; loitering, "anti-social behaviour" or aggression detection; intrusion and line-crossing detection; abandoned-object detection; fly-tipping detection; weapon detection; appearance or attribute search (e.g. searching footage by clothing colour); vehicle make, model or colour recognition; automatic number plate recognition (ANPR); and video summarisation or forensic search tools such as BriefCam or Fusus or equivalent. Please report ANPR separately from other analytics. Questions 1. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using FRT in real-time. 2. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using AI video analytics in real-time. Please provide a breakdown of analytical functions if available and, as requested above, report ANPR cameras separately from other types of analytics. 3. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using FRT retrospectively. 4. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using AI video analytics retrospectively. Please provide a breakdown of analytical functions if available and, as requested above, report ANPR cameras separately from other types of analytics. 5. For each FRT or AI video analytics system covered by questions 1 to 4: the name of the supplier; the name of the product or system; the contract start and end dates and total contract value. 6. Any Data Protection Impact Assessment(s) prepared in relation to the council's use of FRT or AI video analytics. If no DPIA is held, please confirm this. 7. Any document held by the council that assesses or reports on the accuracy, error rate, false match rate or differential performance by ethnicity, sex or age of any FRT or AI video analytics system referred to above. This includes documentation produced by the council, by the supplier (including product documentation, technical specifications and marketing material making performance claims), or by any third party. If no such document is held, please confirm this. 8. Any policy, standard operating procedure, operational guidance or staff training material governing the council's use of FRT or AI video analytics, including provisions on retention, human review of automated outputs, watchlist compilation, and audit.
Response
I'm seeking information about the council's use of facial recognition and AI video analytics technologies. For the purposes of this request, please use the following definitions:
* Facial recognition technology (FRT) means any software or system that processes facial images to generate biometric templates for the purpose of identifying, verifying or matching individuals — whether applied in real time to live feeds or retrospectively to recorded footage.
* AI video analytics means any software applied to CCTV imagery that automatically detects, classifies, counts, tracks, searches or flags people, vehicles, objects or behaviours. This includes, but is not limited to: person and object detection or classification; people counting and crowd density; loitering, "anti-social behaviour" or aggression detection; intrusion and line-crossing detection; abandoned-object detection; fly-tipping detection; weapon detection; appearance or attribute search (e.g. searching footage by clothing colour); vehicle make, model or colour recognition; automatic number plate recognition (ANPR); and video summarisation or forensic search tools such as BriefCam or Fusus or equivalent. Please report ANPR separately from other analytics.
Questions
1. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using FRT in real-time. None
2. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using AI video analytics in real-time. Please provide a breakdown of analytical functions if available and, as requested above, report ANPR cameras separately from other types of analytics. None
3. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using FRT retrospectively. None
4. The total number of cameras in the council's CCTV estate whose feeds can be processed using AI video analytics retrospectively. Please provide a breakdown of analytical functions if available and, as requested above, report ANPR cameras separately from other types of analytics. None
5. For each FRT or AI video analytics system covered by questions 1 to 4: the name of the supplier; the name of the product or system; the contract start and end dates and total contract value. N/A
6. Any Data Protection Impact Assessment(s) prepared in relation to the council's use of FRT or AI video analytics. If no DPIA is held, please confirm this. No information held.
7. Any document held by the council that assesses or reports on the accuracy, error rate, false match rate or differential performance by ethnicity, sex or age of any FRT or AI video analytics system referred to above. This includes documentation produced by the council, by the supplier (including product documentation, technical specifications and marketing material making performance claims), or by any third party. If no such document is held, please confirm this. No information held
8. Any policy, standard operating procedure, operational guidance or staff training material governing the council's use of FRT or AI video analytics, including provisions on retention, human review of automated outputs, watchlist compilation, and audit. N/A
Documents
This is Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.