Stratford Station to trial facial recognition after 4,500 violence reports

Stratford Station, a major transport hub, has been selected to trial Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology. This initiative follows the reporting of more than 4,500 incidents of violence against women and girls on London's public transport network during 2025. The technology is intended to assist British Transport Police (BTP) in identifying suspects more efficiently.

Figures revealed by the Police and Crime Committee at City Hall showed that the 4,500 incidents represent an average of more than 12 reports daily. A significant concern highlighted by the committee is the low rate of prosecution, with only 3% of reported incidents resulting in an individual being charged. In more than half of these cases, no suspect was identified.

Concerns over safety and security

Research conducted by TravelWatch indicates that approximately 70% of people avoid travelling at certain times due to fears for their personal security. Experts have shared accounts of distressing experiences faced by women on public transport, underscoring the need for improved safety measures.

The LFR technology, already in use in other areas for identifying individuals wanted for serious crimes, will be deployed at Stratford as part of the trial. BTP stated that the system can provide officers with an additional tool to help identify suspects for arrest or questioning, potentially leading to more convictions. If successful, the trial could be extended to other stations across the transport network.

Acknowledging potential concerns regarding LFR, a statement emphasised the need for careful implementation with robust safeguards and transparency. The aim is to ensure that the technology assists in identifying individuals who pose a genuine risk, making it more difficult for offenders to evade justice and potentially increasing public confidence in transport safety.