Met Police officers have deployed Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in Richmond this afternoon (Tuesday, 25 November).

Officers from South Richmond Safer Neighbourhoods team have revealed that a LFR van is being operated outside of Richmond Station.

The Richmond officers also say that "a number of people" have been stopped through use of the technology.

The red van can be seen parked just opposite Cards Galore in Richmond Station (credit: Met Police South Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Team).

"A number of people stopped, and two have been arrested for offences, including assault and stalking," said the Met Police South Richmond Safer Neighbourhoods team. "A really good result thus far."

According to The Guardian, in January 2020 the Met publicly confirmed more planned operational use of LFR cameras in London.

Earlier this year, the Home Office also announced that 10 LFR vans would be rolled out to seven police forces, including the Met.

The vehicles are fitted with cameras that scan the faces of people walking by in real time. 

These live images are compared against a 'watchlist of people of interest (e.g. wanted criminals, people under court orders).

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