The Met has started to use the controversial tool in “crime hotspots”, reports Finn Logue

The Metropolitan Police has started deploying facial recognition (FR) technology in Edmonton Green.

The announcement by the Met Police on X.com explained that the technology was being deployed in “crime hotspots” in Enfield borough. The force later confirmed to the Dispatch that this referred only to Edmonton Green.

The Met says the technology is being used as a “real-time aid” to police officers to locate criminals or people on wanted watchlists. The technology will also be used to “establish” who people are when being questioned by police and used retrospectively to identify individuals.

The move follows a policy of FR being used in crime hotspots across the country. These are usually defined by the Met to be small geographical areas that have a high or accelerating crime rate relative to other surrounding areas.

According to the Met’s own data dashboard, Edmonton Green ward had 256 crimes reported in September, 69 of which were violent crimes.

However, critics of the Met’s plans have said that the technology is a “threat” to liberty and privacy.

Human rights campaign group Amnesty International said: “This technology puts many human rights at risk, including the rights to privacy, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“This is no time to experiment with this powerful technology that is being used without adequate transparency, oversight and accountability.“

It is unclear if the Met police will be deploying FR technology in other parts of the borough.

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