Met Police to deploy live facial recognition at Tommy Robinson protest

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will deploy live facial recognition (LFR) and drones for the first time this weekend at the Unite the Kingdom march in central London. Approximately 50,000 people are expected to attend. The use of LFR technology will be restricted to the London borough of Camden in areas likely to be used by attendees, rather than along the specific protest route or at rally points. The decision follows intelligence indicating a potential threat to public safety posed by certain individuals in attendance. 

In contrast, the technology will not be used at a pro-Palestinian march marking Nakba Day, which is expected to attract 30,000 participants. 

In a statement responding to the news, Jake Hurfurt, Head of Research & Investigations at Big Brother Watch, said: "Deploying live facial recognition at protests in this country is a frightening escalation. A biometric identity check cannot become a prerequisite for free speech in this country. 

"The use of LFR at protests will put many people off expressing their views and that is a dangerous path for Britain to go down. Police already have the powers to detain anyone using violence at a protest, but treating everybody as a potential suspect is a chilling step reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, not a democracy." 

In related news, a total of 173 arrests for serious offences, including kidnapping, rape, and sexual assault, have resulted from a six-month LFR trial using permanent static cameras in Croydon.

£ - The Times article requires a subscription.

A version of the Times article is available without subscription in Police Professional.

Training Announcement: Find out more about our range of independent accredited data protection and AI governance qualifications from IAPP and BCS that support practitioners in adopting emerging technologies such as facial recognition.