Latest news from Loughborough University
| 12 April 2006 | PR 06/42 |
Loughborough University to develop cutting edge CCTV that can detect hidden weapons
High-tech systems that will aid CCTV cameras in the identification of people carrying concealed guns are being developed at Loughborough University.
Gun crime is a growing problem in the UK, with almost 11,000 firearm offences recorded in England and Wales in 2004/2005 – an increase of six per cent from the previous year.
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The aim of the MEDUSA (Multi Environment Deployable Universal Software Application) project is to try and reduce the occurrence of gun crime by developing intelligent software that is able to detect a person carrying a concealed weapon from CCTV footage, in real time. Over the next three years academics at Loughborough will work with colleagues from Kingston, Brighton, Liverpool, and Sunderland universities, to develop the software. |
The research team will examine genuine CCTV footage of people carrying concealed firearms, to identify any characteristics which are associated with the behaviour and activity of criminals before they commit a gun associated crime. This could be body stance/shape, movement or eye contact with cameras. Using this information they will then develop a novel machine-learning system for behavioural interpretation. This software will enable CCTV camera systems to automatically scan footage, searching for any behavioural characteristics which indicate that an individual may be carrying a gun and, if necessary, alert CCTV operators.
The research team will also develop a training programme for CCTV operators to enable them to improve their ability to detect suspicious characters. For this they will meet with experienced operators and identify the key cues they already utilise to detect people carrying concealed weapons, and then make these available for training purposes. A detailed database of CCTV footage of individuals carrying or not carrying concealed firearms will also be generated, which can then be used by local authorities and the police for training CCTV operators in what to look for.
Professor Alastair Gale, Head of Loughborough University’s Applied Vision Research Centre is leading the MEDUSA project. He said: “The primary aim of this research is to make the UK a safer place to live by reducing the occurrence of gun crime. To do this we need to develop ways of identifying a potential gun crime before an incident occurs – a key instrument in this is CCTV.
“The new software we are creating will significantly improve the ability of CCTV systems to detect and predict gun-related behaviour, enabling individuals to be apprehended before they commit a crime. As the CCTV infrastructure is already in place it would be relatively easy to implement MEDUSA. Its introduction would also lead to the more efficient usage of police time, as well as more socially acceptable police practices as the identification of potential criminals becomes improved. Additionally, the system will yield faster post-event analysis of CCTV footage.
“This is a very ambitious project, but I am confident that by the
end of the three years we will be able to demonstrate that CCTV operators
using the MEDUSA system are quantitatively more efficient than the same
operators working unaided.”
The MEDUSA project is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC).
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For further information contact:
- Judy Smyth, Public Relations Officer,
T: 01509 228697, E: J.L.Smyth@lboro.ac.uk
Notes to editors
1. A photograph of Professor Alastair Gale is available by contacting the Public Relations Office.
2. MEDUSA is a collaborative research project being undertaken by the Universities of Loughborough, Kingston, Brighton, Liverpool, and Sunderland. The majority of the work will be carried out by three research groups at Loughborough and Kingston, with additional key input from the other institutions.
The project partners are:
- Applied Vision Research Centre (AVRC), Loughborough University
- Department of Electronic/Electrical Engineering (EEE), Loughborough
- University Digital Imaging Research Centre (DIRC), Kingston University
- Centre for Adaptive Systems (CAS), University of Sunderland
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Liverpool University
- School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton
3. Other project partners are:
- LGC Forensics (formerly Forensic Alliance)
- National Firearms Centre (Royal Armouries)
- UK CCTV User Group
- ACPO CCTV/Video Working Group
- ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms
- Crime and Intelligence Technical Support (Metropolitan Police)
4. Loughborough has an established reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry, and unrivalled sporting achievement. Assessments of teaching quality by the Quality Assurance Agency place it in the top flight of UK universities; the National Student Survey ranked Loughborough equal first among full-time students; and industry highlights the University in its top five for graduate recruitment. Around 40% of Loughborough’s income is for research, and 60% for teaching. The University has been awarded five Queen's Anniversary Prizes: for its collaboration with aerospace and automotive companies such as BAE Systems, Ford and Rolls Royce; for its work in developing countries; for pioneering research in optical engineering; for its world-leading role in sports research, education and development; and for its outstanding work in evaluating and helping to develop social policy-related programmes.
In 2006 Loughborough celebrates the 40th anniversary of its University Charter, awarded on 19 April 1966 in recognition of the excellence achieved by Loughborough College of Advanced Technology and its predecessor Colleges. Loughborough University of Technology was renamed Loughborough University in 1996.