In a bid to enhance crime-fighting efforts, fixed live facial recognition (LFR) cameras will soon be installed in Croydon, South London. Unlike the mobile facial recognition vans that have been deployed across the city for years, these new cameras will be mounted on lampposts and buildings, providing a more permanent surveillance network.
The Metropolitan Police say the technology will operate only when officers are available to respond to alerts. The system scans faces and cross-references them with a database of known criminals, automatically deleting data of those who do not match.
Mitch Carr, the Met’s neighbourhood policing chief for South London, confirmed the initiative in a letter to local leaders. “This will embed LFR technology as part of our regular policing operations rather than relying on mobile units, which are in high demand across London,” he stated. He added that fixed cameras would allow greater flexibility in running operations and responding to potential threats.
While law enforcement officials highlight the benefits of LFR in apprehending criminals, civil rights groups have raised concerns about privacy and government surveillance. Rebecca Vincent of Big Brother Watch called the move “a worrying escalation” and criticized the lack of legislative oversight. “We must halt the use of this technology until proper safeguards are in place,” she urged.
Defending the initiative, Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Croydon South, described the rollout as “a logical next step” in policing. He cited the success of mobile LFR vans, which have led to the arrests of hundreds of wanted criminals, including rapists. “This technology is as revolutionary as fingerprinting and DNA analysis in crime prevention,” Philp asserted, dismissing privacy concerns by emphasizing that non-matching images are immediately deleted.
The Metropolitan Police reiterated their commitment to using technology responsibly. “Over the past year, LFR has led to more than 500 arrests, removing individuals suspected of serious offenses, including domestic abuse and rape,” a spokesperson said. Authorities continue to engage with the public to address concerns, assuring that strict safeguards are in place to balance security and privacy.
As Croydon prepares to implement this initiative, the debate between public safety and individual freedoms continues to shape the conversation around facial recognition technology in law enforcement.
