Live facial recognition pilot leads to 100 arrests in first few months

"More than 100 wanted criminals have been arrested in the first few months of a pilot programme in which live facial recognition (LFR) cameras were mounted onto street furniture. Since October, LFR cameras have been fixed to structures in Croydon, and their feeds monitored remotely, allowing officers to run deployments without a van. The Metropolitan Police says the pilot has so far led to 103 arrests, a third of which were over offences involving violence against women and girls."

"The equalities watchdog said the rules and safeguards around the UK's biggest police force's use of the technology fall short and could have a chilling effect on individuals' rights when used at protests. In response, the force defended its use as both lawful and proportionate, playing a key role in keeping Londoners safe. Campaign organisations have also objected to the technology, with civil liberty group Big Brother Watch claiming facial recognition surveillance turns the country into an open prison."

More than 100 wanted criminals were arrested in the first months of a pilot deploying live facial recognition (LFR) cameras mounted on street furniture in Croydon. Remotely monitored feeds produced 103 arrests, about a third for offences involving violence against women and girls. Arrests included a woman wanted since 2004, a man suspected of kidnap, and a sex offender breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Since early 2024 the Metropolitan Police has removed over 1,700 offenders using LFR. The Equality and Human Rights Commission ruled the Met’s policy unlawful and warned of rights risks. The Met defended the practice as lawful and proportionate. Ministers launched a consultation and proposed a regulator.

Read at www.independent.co.uk