More than 170 arrests in facial recognition trial

"More than 170 criminals, including a woman wanted for more than 20 years, were arrested during a six-month trial of live facial recognition (LFR) in south London. The Metropolitan Police said crime reduced by 10.5% during the trial on Croydon's high street, which took place from October 2025 to March 2026. There was also a 21% reduction in violence against women and girls. Arrests included a woman, 36, who was wanted for failing to appear at court for an assault in 2004. Other arrests included people wanted for kidnap, rape and serious sexual assault."

"Static cameras were activated and used in 24 separate operations, and officers made 173 arrests, the equivalent of one arrest every 35 minutes, the Met said. The Met said each deployment of the cameras used a "bespoke, intelligence-led watchlist" that was created no more than 24 hours in advance and deleted immediately afterwards. During the pilot, cameras were mounted to infrastructure such as lampposts at the north and south ends of Croydon's high street."

"PA Media Lindsey Chiswick, national and Met lead for LFR, said the technology was a "powerful tool when it's used carefully, openly and in the right places". "This technology is helping us find people wanted by the courts, identify serious offenders quickly and focus our resources where they make the biggest impact," she said."

"The Met said the data showed LFR was a "powerful tool", but campaign group Big Brother Watch called for "strict safeguards" for the technology. LFR deployments typically require a dedicated van which houses cameras and computer equipment."

More than 170 people were arrested during a six-month live facial recognition trial in south London, with operations on Croydon’s high street from October 2025 to March 2026. The Metropolitan Police reported a 10.5% reduction in crime and a 21% reduction in violence against women and girls during the trial. Officers made 173 arrests using static cameras mounted on infrastructure such as lampposts, activated for 24 separate operations. The Met said each deployment used a bespoke intelligence-led watchlist created no more than 24 hours in advance and deleted immediately afterwards. Arrests included individuals wanted for failing to appear in court, kidnap, rape, serious sexual assault, voyeurism, and other offences, with 61% of linked offences committed in Croydon. A campaign group called for strict safeguards for the technology.

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