The Metropolitan Police has won a judicial review over its use of Live Facial Recognition technology across London, after a court ruled the policy is lawful and compliant with human rights law, citing what it described as clear and effective safeguards.
The High Court found the Met’s framework for deploying the technology met legal standards, including requirements around proportionality, oversight, and protections for privacy and expression rights. The ruling effectively clears the force to continue using the system in public spaces under its current guidelines.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed the decision, calling it a “significant and important victory for public safety.” He said the ruling confirms the force is “acting lawfully to use the best modern technology to reduce crime and keep pace with the evolving threats we face.”
Rowley described Live Facial Recognition as “one of the biggest break throughs for policing,” saying it is being used to identify and arrest offenders wanted for serious crimes, including rape, domestic abuse, and child sexual offences.
According to figures provided by the Met, the system has contributed to more than 2,100 arrests since the start of 2024, with over 1,400 individuals charged or cautioned. The force also reported that more than 100 sex offenders have been arrested using the technology.
The Met said that in the past year, over three million faces were scanned, resulting in 12 false alerts, none of which led to an arrest. Officials added that every alert is reviewed by trained officers before any action is taken.
Rowley said the system is not covert, noting that deployments are clearly signposted and visible to the public. He added that officers retain final decision-making authority, with the technology serving as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for human judgment.
He also pointed to public support for the system, claiming around 80 per cent of Londoners back its use. “The public is firmly on our side,” he said, arguing that opposition from some campaign groups is out of step with both public opinion and policing demands.
The court also noted that safeguards are built into the system, including checks intended to ensure use remains proportionate and compliant with human rights obligations. Independent testing cited by the Met suggested the system performs consistently across demographic groups at operational thresholds used by the force.
Rowley said the ruling confirms the approach is lawful and argued that Live Facial Recognition helps improve efficiency, reduce crime, and manage limited police resources.
“The question is no longer whether we should use Live Facial Recognition - it’s why we would choose not to,” he said, adding that policing must adapt to rapidly advancing technology or risk falling behind criminals who already use similar tools.
The High Court found the Met’s framework for deploying the technology met legal standards, including requirements around proportionality, oversight, and protections for privacy and expression rights. The ruling effectively clears the force to continue using the system in public spaces under its current guidelines.
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed the decision, calling it a “significant and important victory for public safety.” He said the ruling confirms the force is “acting lawfully to use the best modern technology to reduce crime and keep pace with the evolving threats we face.”
Rowley described Live Facial Recognition as “one of the biggest break throughs for policing,” saying it is being used to identify and arrest offenders wanted for serious crimes, including rape, domestic abuse, and child sexual offences.
According to figures provided by the Met, the system has contributed to more than 2,100 arrests since the start of 2024, with over 1,400 individuals charged or cautioned. The force also reported that more than 100 sex offenders have been arrested using the technology.
The Met said that in the past year, over three million faces were scanned, resulting in 12 false alerts, none of which led to an arrest. Officials added that every alert is reviewed by trained officers before any action is taken.
Rowley said the system is not covert, noting that deployments are clearly signposted and visible to the public. He added that officers retain final decision-making authority, with the technology serving as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for human judgment.
He also pointed to public support for the system, claiming around 80 per cent of Londoners back its use. “The public is firmly on our side,” he said, arguing that opposition from some campaign groups is out of step with both public opinion and policing demands.
The court also noted that safeguards are built into the system, including checks intended to ensure use remains proportionate and compliant with human rights obligations. Independent testing cited by the Met suggested the system performs consistently across demographic groups at operational thresholds used by the force.
Rowley said the ruling confirms the approach is lawful and argued that Live Facial Recognition helps improve efficiency, reduce crime, and manage limited police resources.
“The question is no longer whether we should use Live Facial Recognition - it’s why we would choose not to,” he said, adding that policing must adapt to rapidly advancing technology or risk falling behind criminals who already use similar tools.
