Oxford Street to get live facial recognition cameras in December

Oxford Street will become one of the first areas in the UK to have permanent, live facial recognition cameras installed in December. The technology aims to scan the faces of people passing through the busy shopping district and compare them against a watchlist of wanted suspects. This rollout is timed to coincide with the pre-Christmas shopping period, when Oxford Street typically sees around half a million visitors daily.

The Metropolitan Police intends to deploy static, live facial recognition cameras in other parts of London's West End and Soho, areas identified as having high crime rates. The cameras are expected to be attached to street furniture, such as lampposts. This development follows a six-month pilot in Croydon, where the Met reported a 10% reduction in crime and 173 arrests.

Criticism over privacy and regulation

Human rights organisation Liberty has voiced strong opposition to the technology, describing it as "unregulated surveillance." Akiko Hart, director of Liberty, stated that shoppers will have their faces scanned without consent. She criticised the government for proceeding with the installation before publishing its response to a public consultation on facial recognition technology, which closed in February 2025. Liberty is calling for a halt to the rollout until clear laws, safeguards, and independent oversight are established.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police emphasised that live facial recognition is a tool used to enhance public safety. They clarified that static camera systems are activated only when officers are on duty in the vicinity, and public notices will be displayed to inform people of the deployment. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has previously described live facial recognition as a significant technological advancement for policing, with the Met reporting over 2,000 arrests using the technology since the start of 2024.

Government response pending

The government launched a public consultation in December 2025 to establish a legal framework for law enforcement's use of biometric technologies, including facial recognition. The Home Office is anticipated to release its findings and proposed response to this consultation later in the current parliamentary session. The expansion of live facial recognition technology has also received support from figures such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

What happens next

The installation of permanent live facial recognition cameras on Oxford Street is planned for December. The Home Office is expected to publish its response to the public consultation on facial recognition technology later this parliamentary session. Discussions between the Metropolitan Police and partners are ongoing regarding the precise locations for camera placement.