Identifying Terrorists in Crowds – Innovative Tech Sought

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

Detecting and identifying suspects in crowds has become increasingly important in the fight against terrorist threats. The UK government has decided to advance the research in this perspective.

The government is to make up to £2m available to fund research into technology and

behavioral science projects that could identify possible terrorists in crowds, hoping the competition will generate techniques to improve the surveillance and detection of potential terrorist threats.

According to theguardian.com, Ben Wallace, the security minister, is expected to announce the funding at a meeting in London: “The threat from terror does not stand still, so neither will we, which is why we are calling on the best and the brightest from the science and technology sector to come forward with their ideas and proposals to support our ongoing work to keep people safe.”

Britain has been the target of a series of terrorist attacks this year that took place in busy locations or crowded spaces. The government has apparently committed to review its counter-terror strategy in light of the attacks in London and Manchester. The government will thus fund research into cutting-edge technology and behavioural science projects designed to keep people safe in crowds.

The innovation competition is seeking research proposals to reduce the threat from terrorist attacks involving weapons or explosives. Its organizers hope to bring the brightest minds from the private sector and academia to help find solutions to keep the country and people safe and secure.

Counter-terror agencies in the UK are currently running 500 investigations involving 3,000 individuals at any one time as they confront an unprecedented threat.