London Police Make 540 Arrests Using Live Facial Recognition Technology in 2023

The Metropolitan Police Service (Met) has made 540 arrests this year using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology, with offenses ranging from shoplifting to serious violent crimes. Of those arrested, 406 individuals have been charged or cautioned. This marks a significant expansion of the Met’s controversial LFR program, which has been subject to ongoing parliamentary debate regarding its governance and oversight.

The technology operates through camera-equipped vans positioned at pre-determined locations. These cameras capture live footage and compare faces against a pre-approved watchlist. When the system detects a match, it generates an alert for officers to investigate. This deployment follows successful pilot programs in other UK jurisdictions, including Essex Police’s recent operations that demonstrated the technology’s effectiveness in identifying suspects.

More than 50 individuals were arrested for serious offenses involving violence against women and girls, including strangulation, stalking, domestic abuse, and rape. Additionally, over 50 sex offenders were apprehended for breaching their court conditions. These numbers reflect the Met’s strategic priority to combat violence against women and girls, announced in early 2023.

In one notable case, the technology led to the arrest of a convicted child sex offender whose new partner was unaware of their criminal history. This resulted in a Sarah’s Law disclosure within 24 hours of the arrest. Sarah’s Law, formally known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, allows parents to check whether someone with access to their children has a record of child sexual offenses.

The system includes privacy safeguards, reflecting recommendations from the House of Lords’ Justice and Home Affairs Committee. Biometric data of individuals not on police watchlists is immediately and permanently deleted. Furthermore, system alerts do not automatically result in arrests, requiring officer verification to prevent false positives.

“LFR is a powerful tool,” said Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s Director of Performance. “It helps officers identify high-risk individuals who might otherwise go undetected.” According to Chiswick, the technology supports the Met’s mission to deliver justice more effectively while making streets safer. Her assessment comes as other UK police forces, including Police Scotland, consider implementing similar systems.

The Met reports that the implementation of LFR technology contributes to safer London communities by facilitating the removal of dangerous individuals from the streets. The system operates as part of the Met’s broader modernization efforts to enhance public safety, though civil liberties groups continue to debate the balance between security benefits and privacy concerns.

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Source: Metropolitan Police

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December 9, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith