Police expand live facial recognition to one of Britain's most touristic areas and key crime hotspot

Scotland Yard has announced plans to install live facial recognition cameras throughout London's West End before the end of the year.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that fixed surveillance equipment will be positioned across Soho, near theatre venues, and in major retail areas by December.

Officers will retain the flexibility to relocate the cameras should criminal activity patterns change across different locations.

The force described the initiative as "transformative" for some of the capital's busiest and most crime-affected neighbourhoods.

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According to Scotland Yard, the deployment aims to protect both residents and visitors from criminal activity in these high-footfall zones.

The technology operates by linking cameras to a database of photographs of wanted individuals, with facial biometric data extracted and cross-referenced against these images in real time.

When the system identifies a potential match, police officers receive an immediate alert.

A six-month trial in Croydon, where cameras were attached to lampposts and existing infrastructure, resulted in more than 170 arrests this year.

Among those detained was a 36-year-old woman sought in connection with an alleged assault dating back to 2004.

Since 2024, the Metropolitan Police has used live facial recognition to apprehend over 2,000 people across the capital, including suspected rapists, domestic violence perpetrators, and repeat shoplifters.

Police state that no arrests have resulted from false alerts.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police's commissioner, said: "Facial recognition is one of the most revolutionary technology advances in policing in recent years. Public confidence in this is clear around 80 per cent of Londoners support its use. That backing reflects a simple truth: it works."

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The commissioner highlighted the Croydon results, noting the pilot produced just one false alert despite scanning hundreds of thousands of faces.

He argued that criminals readily embrace new technology, meaning police forces must keep pace.

Sir Mark said: "The technology supports officers to target wanted criminals and registered sex offenders."

Tomorrow, the commissioner will address the Police Foundation think tank, outlining how technological advances can deliver more effective, visible and transparent policing across the capital.

Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company, said: "We have long supported the responsible use of live facial recognition as an effective tool in tackling crime, improving public safety and enhancing public confidence.

"A pilot scheme in the West End presents a significant opportunity that we very much welcome."

Privacy campaigners mounted an unsuccessful High Court challenge against the Met's facial recognition programme in April, arguing that the technology could be deployed arbitrarily or discriminatorily.

Sir Mark described the ruling as "a significant and important victory for public safety".

Policing minister Sarah Jones has confirmed the Government intends to expand the deployment of live facial recognition nationwide, backed by record levels of investment to enhance community safety.

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