Regular Offenders Can be Identified by Facial Recognition Technology

Regular Offenders Can be Identified by Facial Recognition Technology AMSTELVEEN, The Netherlands, January 27/PRNewswire/ -- - LogicaCMG and Zuidplein Shopping Centre Complete Successful Facial Recognition Trial LogicaCMG and Zuidplein Shopping Centre in Rotterdam today announced the successful completion of a trial with facial recognition technology. The aim of the trial was to investigate whether facial recognition technology could support the Zuidplein security staff in tracking habitual shoplifters. The results showed that over 90% of the regular offenders were recognised with the aid of the software. During the trial, which lasted several weeks, the facial recognition system was implemented in the reception centre at Zuidplein. It was connected to the shopping centre's existing camera infrastructure and the images picked up by the monitoring cameras were sent to the facial recognition system, which contained a database of photographs of volunteers who agreed to be registered as regular shoplifters. The application searched the received images for faces and compared them with photographs stored in the database on the basis of a number of face characteristics. With optimisation of the camera infrastructure in terms of using more cameras and better light as well as positioning the cameras differently, an even higher percentage could be achieved in future. The difference between this one and earlier trials of facial recognition used to support the tracking of regular shoplifters was that in this trial the offenders had to be recognised while walking around in the public area of the shopping centre (the pathway along the shops) in Zuidplein instead through cameras installed in the shops itself. Zuidplein Shopping Centre has over 160 shops and receives over 10 million visitors a year. It invests a lot in the comfort and safety of its visitors and the shopkeepers established there. One area of focus is the combating of shoplifting. It is often difficult for the security staff to spot regular offenders in the midst of large numbers of shoppers, but facial recognition technology can solve this problem. According to Monique van Geemert, manager of Zuidplein Shopping Centre, automatic facial recognition will deliver big benefits. "We are doing everything we can to optimise the shopping experience in the centre. The implementation of biometric technology will increase the chances of catching regular offenders, without the honest shoppers being aware of it." Paul Schuyt, CEO of LogicaCMG in the Netherlands, says: "This trial proves that the application of facial recognition can support the tracking of regular offenders among large groups of shoppers. LogicaCMG is currently examining possibilities of connecting a facial recognition system to mobile devices, such as PDAs, so that the system can be accessed from any location." Notes to Editors: About Zuidplein Shopping Centre Zuidplein Shopping Centre is a shopping mall with a regional function. It was built in 1972 and extensively renovated between 1999 and 2002. The centre has around 160 shops on an overall sales area of around 75,000 m2, making it one of the biggest shopping centres in the Netherlands. It has its own car park, with spaces for 1,400 cars. Meeùs Vastgoedmanagement B.V. is responsible for the management of the centre. See the website www.zuidplein.nu for further information. About LogicaCMG LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services and wireless telecoms. It provides management and IT consultancy, systems integration and outsourcing services to clients across diverse markets including public sector, telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport. Formed in December 2002, through the merger of Logica and CMG, the company employs around 20,000 staff in offices across 34 countries and has nearly 40 years of experience in IT services. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges (LSE: LOG; Euronext: LOG). More information is available from www.logicacmg.com Source: LogicaCMG LogicaCMG, Saskia Huuskes, Press relations, Tel: +31-(0)20-571-3777, Fax: +31-(0)-20-571-3760, E-mail: pr@logicacmg.nl or Zuidplein Shopping Centre, Monique van Geemert, Tel: +31(0)10-481-03-44, Fax: +31(0)10-481-07-43, E-mail: zuidplein.geemert@planet.nl ------- Profile: International Entertainment