The £2k upgrade set to revolutionise Southampton's nightlife security

Southampton Business Crime Partnership (SBCP), managed by GO! Southampton, has secured continued funding for facial recognition technology and additional funds to tackle crime in the city centre.

The extra £2,243 will extend the facial recognition scheme after a successful three-month trial across seven venues in the city centre.

Launched in December 2023 by the BID, security firm Synergy Security, and local businesses, the trial tested Reveal body-worn cameras featuring facial recognition.

Door staff wear these cameras to identify banned offenders more efficiently, alerting staff if an excluded individual attempts entry.

Reveal’s digital evidence management system, DEMS 360, which is also used by around 70 per cent of UK police forces, supports this system.

Offenders are identified through the Red Card scheme, which enforces a ‘banned from one, banned from all’ policy across Southampton’s Licensing Link premises.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, provided the funding boost.

It’s part of a wider £32,793 awarded to various city projects as part of the partnership’s collective bid, which includes an additional £15,000 for extra GO! Southampton security patrols.

Jade McCauley, Operations Manager from GO! Southampton, expressed gratitude: “We’re delighted to receive this extra funding.

“We’d like to personally thank PCC Donna Jones, who has supported the facial recognition trial that the Southampton Business Crime Partnership rolled out last year.

“We are dedicated to ensuring Southampton’s record for being a safe and fun night out continues.”

Earlier this year, Southampton retained the Purple Flag award for its evening and night-time economy.

The award, organised by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), recognises cities and towns that ensure their centres are safe, diverse, vibrant, and well-managed.

Announcing the funding, Donna Jones said: “Anti-social behaviour casts a dangerous shadow over many of our communities.

“Severely impacting the quality of life for residents, it also threatens livelihoods and negatively imprints on the wider community as a whole.

“These devastating incidents can often be precursors to more serious criminal offences.

“By providing this additional funding for diversionary activities and projects, this can be addressed and challenged at the outset.”

• https://www.gosouthampton.co.uk/