Metropolitan Police Achieves One Arrest Every 35 Minutes with Facial Recognition Trial

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reported that its six-month trial of static live facial recognition (LFR) cameras resulted in 173 arrests, averaging one arrest every 35 minutes. The trial, conducted in Croydon from October 2025 to March 2026, led to a 10.5% reduction in crime, particularly a 21% decrease in violence against women and girls. The arrests included serious offenses such as kidnapping and rape, with 37 individuals apprehended for breaching court-imposed conditions. The LFR technology was mounted on lampposts, allowing for agile deployments without the need for dedicated vans. The cameras monitored over 470,000 individuals, with only one false alert reported. The MPS plans to continue using static LFR cameras to enhance public safety in London.

Key Points: • 173 arrests made during the LFR pilot, averaging one every 35 minutes. • Crime in Croydon decreased by 10.5%, with a 21% drop in violence against women and girls. • Static LFR cameras were deployed on lampposts, improving operational efficiency.