Met makes over 500 arrests this year using LFR
Image courtesy the Met
With the help of this technology, the Met has removed more dangerous individuals from the streets, contributing to safer London communities.
Live Facial Recognition is an advanced technology employed by the Met in specific areas of London. Officers position a van equipped with cameras in a pre-agreed location. These cameras capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a pre-approved watchlist. If a match is detected, the system generates an alert, enabling officers to act swiftly.
The Met is a forerunner in using this technology as part of its commitment to make London safer by harnessing cutting-edge technology and data to identify and apprehend offenders who pose significant risks to our communities.
Among these arrests are more than 50 individuals allegedly involved in serious offences involving violence against women and girls (VAWG), including offences such as strangulation, stalking, domestic abuse, and rape. In addition, the Met has arrested over 50 sex offenders who were found to be in breach of their court conditions.
Of the 540 people arrested by Met officers, 406 have already been charged or cautioned.
LFR technology enables the Met to take a more precise and intelligence-led approach to tackling crime. Each deployment is carefully planned based on operational needs and is guided by data to ensure resources are directed at offenders who pose the greatest threat to public safety.
Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s Director of Performance, said: "This technology is helping us protect our communities from harm.
"It is a powerful tool that supports officers to identify and focus on people who present the highest risk that may otherwise have gone undetected.
“From targeting sex offenders to apprehending those responsible for violent crimes, Live Facial Recognition is helping us deliver justice more effectively while making our streets safer.
“LFR works hand in hand with officers and is a vital part of making the Met a modern police service and delivering our mission to make communities safer.”
The use of LFR has not only resulted in arrests but as a consequence of these arrests, critical interventions that enhance public safety.
In one case, officers stopped a convicted child sex offender who was with a new partner. The partner, who lived with a younger sibling, was unaware of the offender’s criminal history. Within 24 hours, officers made a disclosure under Sarah’s Law, potentially preventing further harm.
Concerns about privacy and the use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology are understandable. To address these, the Met has implemented robust safeguards. If a member of the public walks past an LFR camera and is not on a police watchlist, their biometric data is immediately and permanently deleted.
If the technology generates a match, officers may engage with the individual to verify their identity and confirm their involvement in any offences. Officers conduct further checks, such as reviewing court orders or other relevant information, to determine if the person is a suspect. Importantly, an alert from the system does not automatically result in an arrest - officers make a discretionary decision about whether further action is necessary.
The Met is actively engaging with communities and partners across London to build understanding of how LFR works. Efforts include debunking myths, sharing successes, and providing reassurance by explaining the rigorous checks and balances in place to protect people’s rights and privacy.
As part of A New Met for London, the Met is using advanced technology to support officers to tackle crime more effectively and equitably. In the longer term, the service plans to introduce additional data-driven tools and ethically leverage artificial intelligence to stay ahead of criminal activity, intervening before harm occurs.
