Biometric verification to enhance imposter detection at UK border crossings

Border Force secure and protect the UK Border whilst enabling the efficient flow of people and goods. The ability to identify and stop imposters from entering the country using fraudulent identity documents is paramount. Border Force engaged Viable Data to deliver an AI-powered biometric verification solution to improve the capability of front-line officers to detect imposters.

The challenge

An ageing system against a rising number of imposter encounters

The number of imposters encountered at the border was increasing year-on-year. The existing Imposter Detection Equipment (IDE) was nearing end-of-life, was subject to unreliable speed performance and had a very large physical footprint. As a result, the devices were unpopular with front-line officers and thus under-utilised.

The vision

Fast, accurate decision making enabled by intuitive and easy to use imposter detection equipment

The objective was to deliver a solution that would be lightweight, easy to use, and would empower front-line officers to make fast and accurate decisions. It was also important to ensure the solution was economical to maintain and easily scalable across multiple locations.

Border Force Officers are now utilising compact and easy to use devices that have assisted in decision making when encountering passengers presenting documents to which they may not be entitled.”

Jane Parle, Digital Passenger Services, Border Force

The solution

A lightweight, scalable solution that utilises cutting-edge technology

The implementation of advanced AI technology has enabled fast and accurate biometric matching. This combines with integrated data from multiple sources to provide officers with rich, real-time information to support confident decision making.

The solution requires little computing power; allowing the old, large, cumbersome equipment to be replaced with lightweight, portable and cost-effective mobile devices. Mobile Device Management technology enables scalability and easy maintenance through seamless and wireless updates across all locations.

53 locations

Over 250 IDE units deployed across 53 UK air, rail and sea ports, including those juxtapose to the UK.

5X coverage

A five-fold increase in coverage across the Border Force estate.

£2m savings

Low-cost scalability means the increased IDE rollout was achieved at less than half the expense of the previous solution, equating to £2m of savings.

6 seconds

Utilising cutting-edge technology has vastly improved processing time with an average scan duration of ~6 seconds.

The impact

An enhanced network of Imposter Detection Equipment that increases border security

The new solution has been deployed at 53 locations across the UK border. This enhanced network of Imposter Detection Equipment (IDE) represents a five-fold increase in coverage across the Border Force estate; significantly enhancing border security as well as operational efficiency.

The intuitive and easy-to-use design requires minimal operational training therefore incurring little operational cost. Front-line officers also have higher confidence in decision-making resulting in a reduction of passenger referrals to forgery officers. The resulting uplift in officer resource creates operational savings which enables more efficient and flexible use of front-line staff.

The success of this project strengthens Viable Data’s ongoing partnership with Border Force and The Home Office and has resulted in being awarded Best Project Team at the UK IT Industry Awards.