Facial recognition could be used more widely by police under plans
The Home Office hopes a new public consultation will lead to new laws expanding the use of the technology by more police forces.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s a concise update on recent UK facial recognition camera news.
Direct answer
- The UK has been expanding both pilot and permanent facial recognition deployments in public spaces, with several reports in 2025–2026 noting installations in London-area streets and ongoing government reviews about regulation and oversight.[2][3][8]
Key developments
- Permanent live facial recognition (LFR) cameras: Reports from early 2025 describe the installation of the UK’s first permanent LFR cameras on Croydon streets as part of a Metropolitan Police pilot, aimed at identifying suspects in real time. Privacy groups have raised serious concerns about oversight and civil liberties.[3]
- Government oversight and regulation: The government launched consultations around regulating facial recognition technology and establishing a regulatory body to oversee biometrics and related tools, signaling potential expansion plus safeguards. This signals a trajectory toward broader use alongside calls for legislative safeguards.[10][2]
- Public and civil liberties response: Campaign groups and watchdogs have criticized the expansions as eroding privacy and lacking clear legal safeguards, while proponents argue the tech helps with faster identification of suspects. Expect ongoing debates and potential legal challenges as new rules emerge.[8][9][3]
What to watch next
- Regulatory framework: A formal regulatory body for facial recognition and new laws governing police use are anticipated, which could shape where and how cameras can be deployed and how data is handled.[2][10]
- Court or tribunal reactions: Given past concerns from privacy advocates and some regulators, more High Court or statutory challenges could arise as deployments scale.[4][8]
Illustration
- If you’d like, I can summarize a timeline of major installations and regulatory milestones with key dates and actors (Met Police, Home Office, EHRC) and provide a short explainer of what “permanent live facial recognition” entails and what safeguards are typically proposed.
Citations
- Details about the Croydon permanent cameras and privacy concerns:[3]
- Government consultation and regulatory proposals for facial recognition and biometrics:[10][2]
- Broader rights groups’ reactions and ongoing debates:[9][8]
If you’d like, I can pull more recent local news from Marseille or France about similar systems for comparison.