Met Arrests Over 1,000 Criminals Using Live Facial Recognition

The Metropolitan Police Service has arrested over 1,000 wanted criminals using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology, including paedophiles, rapists, and violent robbers, with more than 100 involved in serious offences against women and girls. LFR helps officers identify offenders quickly and efficiently, saving valuable police resources by catching criminals who might otherwise remain at large or break bail conditions without detection. Lindsey Chiswick, the Met's lead for LFR, highlighted the technology's role in delivering justice for victims and improving operational efficiency. Among those arrested was David Cheneler, a registered sex offender caught by LFR while with a child, leading to his imprisonment for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Despite the successes, privacy campaigners have raised concerns about increased surveillance and the proposed Croydon pilot involving fixed cameras, fearing a slide toward authoritarian-style monitoring. The Met emphasizes cautious, controlled use of LFR, assuring the cameras will only be active during authorized operations.