the United Kingdom’s surveillance technology, as reported

Filtered:

Date	Source	Story	Location
Aug 12	LADbible	Eerie footage shows 'Black Mirror' police surveillance camera scanning all our faces↗ LADbible Face recognition+, Expansion	Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Aug 12	All About Cookies	'Dystopian' London Underground Face Scanners To Expand Despite 530,000 Failed Scans↗ All About Cookies Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Aug 12	The Guardian	Live facial recognition cameras to be used on UK’s busiest shopping street↗ The Guardianalso carried by 1 other outlet More coverage: Southend Echo Face recognition+, ExpansionSchools & transit+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service Essex Police, UK gb/police/essex-police
Aug 12	Counter Terror Business	BTP to trial LFR in underground stations↗ Counter Terror Business Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Aug 12	The Independent	Oxford Street shoppers to have faces scanned by controversial technology↗ The Independentalso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: Yahoo News UK · Yahoo · London Evening Standard Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 10	facebook.com	🚨 Live cameras at the event triggered 34 alerts↗ facebook.comalso carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition	Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Aug 10	hellorayo.co.uk	Facial recognition technology leads to 11 arrests at Manchester's Caribbean Carnival↗ hellorayo.co.ukalso carried by 1 other outlet More coverage: Manchester Evening News Face recognition	Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Aug 10	Yahoo News UK	Live facial recognition cameras deployed at UK stations↗ Yahoo News UKalso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: lbc.co.uk Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 10	The Sun	Live facial recognition cameras rolled out across Underground stations in HOURS to hunt knife thugs and sex pests↗ The Sun Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Aug 10	London Now ($)	What London Underground passengers need to know about new facial recognition trial↗ London Now ($)also carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: Sutton Guardian · allthingsbusiness.co.uk · thestar.co.uk · Rail Business Daily · +28 more Face recognition+, ExpansionSchools & transit+, ExpansionFusion & data sharing+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Aug 10	Yahoo News UK	Met Police roll out facial recognition cameras across north London crime hotspots↗ Yahoo News UKalso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: The New York Times New contract Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 10	FulhamSW6	CCTV Team Helps Catch Fulham Palace Road Burglary Suspect↗ FulhamSW6 Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 10	Crediton Courier	Police now using live facial recognition tech↗ Crediton Courier More coverage: Huddersfield Hub Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police West Yorkshire Police, UK gb/police/west-yorkshire-police
Aug 7	news.bbc.co.uk	CCTV installed in Crawley's Tilgate Park to deter antisocial driving↗ news.bbc.co.uk More coverage: uk.news.yahoo.com Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Sussex Police, UK gb/police/sussex-police
Aug 7	BBC ($)	CCTV pilot speeds up shoplifting investigations↗ BBC ($) Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 6	Fife Today	Police drones target off roadbikes and e-scooters at three Fife parks↗ Fife Today Drones / UAS	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Aug 6	Cornwall Live	AI cameras will scan Boardmasters revellers to catch drug dealers↗ Cornwall Livealso carried by 6 other outlets More coverage: hpenews.com Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 6	Voice (Cornwall)	Live facial recognition van deployed for the first time↗ Voice (Cornwall) Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 5	The Independent	Why police are using live facial recognition cameras at popular UK music festival↗ The Independent More coverage: Discover SWNS Face recognition+, ExpansionSchools & transit+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 5	North Devon Gazette	Facial recognition cameras being deployed in Devon and Cornwall↗ North Devon Gazettealso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: Rayo · Tavistock Times Gazette Schools & transit+, ExpansionFace recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 5	Mid Devon Advertiser	Police vow transparency over use of live facial recognition technology↗ Mid Devon Advertiseralso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: Yahoo News UK Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 5	BBC	Police use facial recognition near Boardmasters in Newquay↗ BBCalso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: The Independent · streamlinefeed.co.ke · AOL.com · NME · +2 more Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 5	BBC	Devon and Cornwall Police use facial recognition in Newquay↗ BBCalso carried by 1 other outlet More coverage: Yahoo News UK Face recognition+, Expansion	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
Aug 4	newsfromwales.co.uk	Zaynub Akbar MS calls on South Wales Police to trial drones against illegal e-bikes along Taff Trail in Cardiff↗ newsfromwales.co.uk Drones / UAS	South Wales Police, UK gb/police/south-wales-police Gloucestershire Constabulary, UK gb/police/gloucestershire-constabulary Victoria Police, Australia au/vic/police/victoria-police
Aug 4	London Daily News	Met Police Facial Recognition Technology Leads to Arrest Every 90 Minutes↗ London Daily News More coverage: Daily Echo Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 3	BBC	Conservatives call for greater use of facial recognition from police↗ BBCalso carried by 4 other outlets More coverage: SSBCrack Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 2	Railway Supply	AI Rail Station Monitoring Could Move Beyond Passive CCTV↗ Railway Supply Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Aug 1	My London	London map shows most dangerous places to live as one unlikely area ranks among England's worst↗ My London Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Aug 1	BBC	Women's safety help point installed in city centre↗ BBC Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Nottinghamshire Police, UK gb/police/nottinghamshire-police
Jul 30	AOL.com	Met Police boss: London’s rivals to blame for city’s ‘lawless’ label↗ AOL.com Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 30	Leeds Live	Arrests across Leeds as police work to track down wanted people↗ Leeds Livealso carried by 2 other outlets Face recognition+, Expansion	West Yorkshire Police, UK gb/police/west-yorkshire-police
Jul 29	Bicester Advertiser ($)	More than 62,000 people scanned by police facial recognition in Oxfordshire↗ Bicester Advertiser ($) Face recognition	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Jul 29	Daily Express ($)	Green politician gives 'murderers and rapists tips to avoid' police cameras↗ Daily Express ($) More coverage: AOL.com Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 29	lbc.co.uk	Police to use facial recognition in Nottingham crackdown on anti-social youths↗ lbc.co.uk More coverage: West Bridgford Wire Face recognition+, Expansion	Nottinghamshire Police, UK gb/police/nottinghamshire-police
Jul 28	Daily Mail ($)	'Shameful' Green councillor 'tells murderers, rapists and burglars how to avoid police'... by posting map showing location of Live Facial Recognition vans↗ Daily Mail ($) More coverage: Daily Mail Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 28	lancs.live	Police to patrol the skies to enforce drone ban put in place ahead of major event in Lytham↗ lancs.live Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Lancashire Constabulary, UK gb/police/lancashire-constabulary
Jul 28	Chester's Dee Radio	Operation Vigilant deployment helps protect vulnerable people and prevent crime in Chester↗ Chester's Dee Radio Face recognition+, Expansion	Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Jul 28	Chester Nub News	Live facial recognition trial in Chester leads to two arrests↗ Chester Nub News Face recognition+, Expansion	Cheshire Constabulary, UK gb/police/cheshire-constabulary Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Jul 28	BBC	Facial recognition vans to be deployed by police↗ BBCalso carried by 1 other outlet More coverage: Newark Advertiser Schools & transit+, ExpansionFace recognition+, Expansion	Nottinghamshire Police, UK gb/police/nottinghamshire-police
Jul 28	Yahoo	New CCTV cameras already cracking down on crime↗ Yahoo Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Suffolk Constabulary, UK gb/police/suffolk-constabulary
Jul 27	Daily Mail	Every crook's worst nightmare: You're free as a bird. Then suddenly you're being handcuffed. That's what happened to 7 suspects when the Met set up its new Live Facial Recognition cameras... and the Mail was there to record it↗ Daily Mailalso carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 27	Glasgow Live	Glasgow drone users warned as restrictions put in place for Commonwealth Games↗ Glasgow Live Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 27	Yahoo Sports UK	Police 'ready to prosecute' those not following stepped up Games security measure↗ Yahoo Sports UKalso carried by 1 other outlet Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 27	Oldham Times ($)	I joined GMP as facial recognition found sex offenders in Oldham↗ Oldham Times ($) Schools & transit+, ExpansionFace recognition+, Expansion	Greater Manchester Police, UK gb/police/greater-manchester-police
Jul 26	Emergency Services Times	Drones watching over the rail network and keeping the public safe↗ Emergency Services Times Drones / UAS+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Jul 24	This Is Oxfordshire ($)	New date set as controversial police facial recognition van returning to Oxford↗ This Is Oxfordshire ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Jul 23	Yahoo News UK	Sadiq Khan claims Russia, China and MAGA influencers spread 'lawless London lies’ online↗ Yahoo News UK Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 23	My London	'London is safe' Sharp drop in London neighbourhood crime including phone theft↗ My London Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 22	Glasgow Times ($)	New no fly zones across Glasgow announced coming into effect from tomorrow↗ Glasgow Times ($) Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 22	My London	Serious concerns over increased use of AI by police in London↗ My Londonalso carried by 1 other outlet More coverage: This is the Coast · streamlinefeed.co.ke Face recognition+, ExpansionSchools & transit+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service North Yorkshire Police, UK gb/police/north-yorkshire-police
Jul 22	vijesti.me	DW: Cameras in London recognize passersby, hundreds of people already arrested↗ vijesti.me Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 22	Scottish Daily Express	Another aerial riddle in Glasgow as Police Scotland says drones will be taken down↗ Scottish Daily Express Drones / UAS−, Reduction	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 22	The Southern Reporter	Reflection for motorcycle riders↗ The Southern Reporter Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 22	Slough Observer ($)	Facial recognition vans to come to Slough High Street↗ Slough Observer ($)also carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition+, Expansion	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Jul 21	Emergency Services Times	Navigating complex skies with drones as first responders↗ Emergency Services Times Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 21	Gadget Review	As London Police Surpass 1,000 Live Facial Recognition Arrests, Designers Are Selling $300 Sweaters to Trick AI into Seeing a Giraffe or a Dog↗ Gadget Reviewalso carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 21	Rayo	Seven motorcyclists stopped in new police drone safety operation↗ Rayo Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 20	The Edinburgh Reporter	New rider reflection and safety initiative trial launched↗ The Edinburgh Reporter Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Police Scotland, UK gb/police/police-scotland
Jul 19	Biometric Update	Within line of sight – personal issue police drones are on the horizon↗ Biometric Update Drones / UAS+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 18	Halesowen News ($)	Yobs caught on camera by new eye-in-the-sky↗ Halesowen News ($) Drones / UAS+, Expansion	West Midlands Police, UK gb/police/west-midlands-police
Jul 16	Bournemouth Echo ($)	Survey among residents finds strong public support for facial recognition in Police↗ Bournemouth Echo ($) Schools & transit+, ExpansionFace recognition+, Expansion	Dorset Police, UK gb/police/dorset-police
Jul 14	Oxford Mail ($)	Row erupts as facial recognition police tech set for Oxfordshire town↗ Oxford Mail ($)also carried by 2 other outlets Face recognition+, Expansion	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Jul 10	Chester Nub News	Cheshire Constabulary to deploy Live Facial Recognition as city welcomes visitors for Chester Races↗ Chester Nub News More coverage: Deeside.com · Hampshire Chronicle · Chester Nub News Face recognition+, Expansion	Cheshire Constabulary, UK gb/police/cheshire-constabulary Hampshire Constabulary, UK gb/police/hampshire-constabulary
Jul 9	London Evening Standard	Will a rollout of live facial recognition in Soho bust crime or destroy trust?↗ London Evening Standardalso carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jul 8	BBC ($)	MP 'staggered' by lack of CCTV after bike theft↗ BBC ($) Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Jul 2	Colchester Gazette ($)	Facial recognition vans coming to town centre this weekend↗ Colchester Gazette ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Essex Police, UK gb/police/essex-police
Jun 24, 2026	Macau Business	London police to extend use of live facial recognition, drones↗ Macau Businessalso carried by 3 other outlets More coverage: Oman Observer · lbc.co.uk · Yahoo News UK · todayville.com Drones / UAS+, ExpansionFace recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jun 24, 2026	BBC	Drone network part of Met's London-wide tech push↗ BBC Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jun 22, 2026	The Independent	Facial recognition cameras heading to London’s West End in bid to cut crime↗ The Independentalso carried by 2 other outlets More coverage: BBC · The Times · thecanary.co · The Guardian · +2 more Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Jun 5, 2026	the-londoner.co.uk	Will the Met’s Harry Potter-themed facial recognition solve the shoplifting crisis?↗ the-londoner.co.uk Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 28, 2026	Biometric Update	London police transparency push raises more facial recognition concerns↗ Biometric Update Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service West Mercia Police, UK gb/police/west-mercia-police
May 26, 2026	BBC ($)	Southend beach party invite prompts police use of face tech↗ BBC ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Essex Police, UK gb/police/essex-police
May 26, 2026	BBC ($)	Police use drones to target rogue jet ski users in Teignmouth↗ BBC ($) Drones / UAS	Devon and Cornwall Police, UK gb/police/devon-and-cornwall-police
May 26, 2026	Tech Policy Press	Britain's Facial Recognition Boom Runs on Police Policy, Not Statute↗ Tech Policy Press Face recognition+, Expansion	Town of Croydon, NH us/nh/town/croydon South Wales Police, UK gb/police/south-wales-police
May 16, 2026	CityNews Calgary	London police out in force to deal with rival rallies and a soccer final↗ CityNews Calgary More coverage: CityNews Halifax Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 16, 2026	BBC ($)	Tens of thousands join rival marches in London↗ BBC ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 15, 2026	Yahoo Finance UK	Police will face court action over facial recognition technology, watchdog warns↗ Yahoo Finance UKalso carried by 1 other outlet Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 15, 2026	BBC	Eleven 'far-right agitators' banned from UK ahead of rally, government says↗ BBC Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 15, 2026	France 24	London police brace for far-right march and rally marking Palestinian Nakba↗ France 24 Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 15, 2026	Biometric Update	UK watchdog warns of legal risks as London police deploy LFR at protest↗ Biometric Update Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	The Register	London cops hail fixed facial recognition cams after suspects collared every 35 mins↗ The Register More coverage: Harrow Online · voice-online.co.uk · Police Professional · upday News · +1 more Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	GB News ($)	Facial recognition cameras: Met Police arrests more than 170 people including woman wanted for more than 20 years↗ GB News ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	The Times ($)	Met police to use facial recognition at Tommy Robinson rally↗ The Times ($) Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	Biometric Update	Met Police tout arrests, crime drop from permanent LFR camera pilot↗ Biometric Update Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	BBC ($)	More than 170 arrests in Met's Croydon facial recognition trial↗ BBC ($) More coverage: BBC Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 13, 2026	The Times ($)	Met facial recognition pilot cuts violence against women↗ The Times ($) Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 4, 2026	The Guardian	Scanned, tackled, arrested: how live facial recognition was piloted on the streets of Croydon↗ The Guardian Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
May 3, 2026	The Guardian	How does live facial recognition work and how many UK police forces use it?↗ The Guardian More coverage: Biometric Update Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service Essex Police, UK gb/police/essex-police South Wales Police, UK gb/police/south-wales-police
May 3, 2026	Biometric Update	Certainty vs flexibility – does the UK need a Biometric Surveillance Act?↗ Biometric Update Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 27, 2026	UK Human Rights Blog	The Weekly Round Up: Abramovich ECHR Claim, Assisted Dying Bill Falls, Facial Recognition and Prisoner's Segregation Appeal dismissed↗ UK Human Rights Blog Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 23, 2026	BBC ($)	Three arrests in Slough after police live facial recognition use↗ BBC ($) Face recognition	Thames Valley Police, UK gb/police/thames-valley-police
Apr 21, 2026	Yahoo Finance UK	Facial recognition to be 'rolled out' across UK after human rights challenge fails↗ Yahoo Finance UK More coverage: GB News · Radio News Hub · BBC · Hounslow Herald · +2 more Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service Essex Police, UK gb/police/essex-police
Apr 21, 2026	BBC	CCTV upgraded across Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn in Elmet↗ BBC Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	North Yorkshire Police, UK gb/police/north-yorkshire-police
Apr 21, 2026	Business Day	World briefs | Nigeria’s Dangote targets plastics, detergents in Honeywell deal↗ Business Day Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 21, 2026	Metro.co.uk	Two people fail in bid to stop live facial recognition cameras in London↗ Metro.co.uk Face recognition+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 21, 2026	lbc.co.uk	Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warns against "clumsy regulation" of facial recognition technology as High Court case thrown out↗ lbc.co.uk Face recognition	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 20, 2026	BBC ($)	Shops asked to share more CCTV to help police tackle shoplifting↗ BBC ($) Fixed cameras & RTCC+, Expansion	Metropolitan Police Service, UK gb/police/metropolitan-police-service
Apr 10, 2026	Biometric Update	UK turns to better CCTV, facial recognition use for national knife crime strategy↗ Biometric Update Face recognition+, Expansion	British Transport Police gb/police/british-transport-police
Apr 8, 2026	UK Parliament	Facial recognition technology in policing↗ UK Parliament Face recognition	South Wales Police, UK gb/police/south-wales-police
Mar 23, 2026	BBC ($)	Two suspects identified during Norwich facial recognition trial↗ BBC ($) More coverage: BBC Face recognition+, Expansion	Norfolk Constabulary, UK gb/police/norfolk-constabulary Bedfordshire Police, UK gb/police/bedfordshire-police Northamptonshire Police, UK gb/police/northamptonshire-police

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