London’s Met Police will increase its use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology, as part of an update about how it is doing more with less.
The controversial technology, which scans crowds to identify wanted suspects in real time, will now be deployed up to ten times a week, up from four deployments across two days.
It comes amid a push by the Met to increase police visibility and target high-volume crimes such as shoplifting, phone snatching, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.
Funded by £32 million in additional support from City Hall and the Home Office, it also unveiled plans to redeploy officers to hotspot areas and embrace technologies like LFR to improve operational efficiency.
Commissioner Mark Rowley said that the Met was “getting smaller but more capable,” adding: “We are scaling up our use of LFR to help arrest more wanted offenders. It’s one of several specialist tactics we are boosting to support neighbourhood teams in tackling the criminal gangs behind robbery and theft.”
Civil rights campaigners such as Big Brother Watch, have warned that expanded LFR use could infringe on privacy and disproportionately impact minority communities.
However, the Met cites operational success in identifying suspects wanted for serious offences.
“Thanks to record funding from City Hall, we are putting more police on the streets and investing in the tools they need to keep Londoners safe,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
“This includes boosting neighbourhood teams and using smart technology to improve detection and response.”
Retailers and business leaders welcomed the increased police presence and investment in crime-fighting technology.
Anthony Hemmerdinger, managing director at retail chain Boots, said: “We welcome this additional support. We’re already investing in our own deterrents like CCTV and bodycams, but partnership with police is crucial to ensuring our stores and high streets remain safe and welcoming.”
