Facial Recognition Tech Hits Romford for Final Police Trial
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is gearing up for the last live facial recognition deployment in Romford town centre this Thursday, 14 February. This marks the finale of their 10-part trial to test the cutting-edge technology.
Final Trial to Target Violent Crime in Romford
So far, nine live trials have rolled out across London, with Romford getting the final showdown. The tech will operate overtly – police officers will be in full uniform, handing out information leaflets, and posters explaining the system will be splashed around town.
The aim? To cut crime, especially violence, using a database of faces belonging to people wanted by the Met and courts. The operation will last around six hours on the day.
How It Works – And What You Need to Know
- Facial scans are voluntary – no scan doesn’t automatically mean suspicion.
- Officers will keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour.
- If the tech flags a match, police will verify identities before taking action.
- Stakeholders, including critics, are invited to observe to promote transparency.
Results So Far: Five Arrests Made
“So far, five arrests have been made as a direct result of the system identifying individuals wanted for violent offences,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet, Met’s strategic lead on facial tech. “Two arrests happened in Westminster in December 2018, and three more in Romford on 31 January.”
Originally set for 11 February, the Romford deployment was pushed back due to poor weather. Now the Met plans to wrap up the trial and launch an independent evaluation to see just how effective this game-changing tool really is.
Balhatchet insists: “Tackling violent crime is a key priority. Using emerging technology like this can be invaluable for protecting communities and supporting frontline policing.”
