Britain’s top cop hails Live Facial Recognition technology as a ‘game-changing’ tool

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has hailed live facial recognition (LFR) as a “game-changing tool” for policing. During a speech, he emphasised its effectiveness in tackling crime, citing its use in making hundreds of arrests in 2025.

Key Details and Usage

• Arrest Statistics: According to Sir Mark, LFR has led to over 700 arrests this year alone, including more than 50 registered sex offenders who were in breach of their conditions.
• Targeted Use: He stressed that the technology is used responsibly and is focused on locating serious offenders, such as wanted individuals, registered sex offenders, and those wanted for violent crimes.
• Operational Expansion: The Metropolitan Police plans to more than double the use of LFR, increasing deployments to up to 10 times per week across five days, up from the current four times a week across two days.
• Notting Hill Carnival: Sir Mark cited the recent Notting Hill Carnival as a prime example of the technology’s success, stating that LFR played a critical role in keeping the public safe. He reported that LFR contributed to 61 arrests during the event, including 16 for serious violence-related offences.

Controversy and Concerns

While the police commissioner supports the expanded use of LFR, the technology remains a subject of considerable controversy. Civil liberty and anti-racist organisations have raised significant concerns.

• Mass Surveillance: Critics, including the group Liberty, describe LFR as a “mass surveillance tool” that treats everyone as a potential suspect.
• Lack of Regulation: A major point of contention is the “complete lack of regulation” governing the use of this technology, with campaigners calling on the government to legislate robust safeguards and independent oversight.
• Racial Bias: Organisations have also expressed fears about racial bias, claiming the technology can be less accurate for women and people of colour. Sir Mark has acknowledged these concerns but maintains that the force has carefully selected its algorithm and uses the technology in a non-discriminatory way.