Met Police to expand use of static live facial recognition cameras

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is expanding its use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology across London. Following a successful pilot using a static camera in Croydon, alongside previous mobile van deployments, MPS has said that it plans to introduce fixed cameras to the West End and Soho by Christmas to target areas with high crime rates.

The new fixed cameras will be attached to street furniture, such as lamp posts, and will move location based on emerging crime trends. MPS plans to deploy static cameras in six additional areas in 2027, with the expectation that local councils will contribute towards the costs.

In a statement responding to the news, Jack Coulson, Head of Advocacy for Big Brother Watch, said: "Tackling crime hotspots is in everyone’s interests, but the Metropolitan police’s rosy picture of this approach masks a dangerous reality.

"Expanding the use of live facial recognition to static cameras is an alarming escalation of an intrusive technology which has already scanned the faces of millions of innocent Londoners.

"Legislation to regulate the police's use of facial recognition is expected in the Autumn. Yet the police are rushing ahead with AI monitoring of the public under their own rules.

"We are calling on the Met to stop this experiment until, at least, Parliament has spoken. Policing by consent is a cultural inheritance we must protect. Permanent biometric surveillance of the public square is incompatible with that ideal."

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