Ten live facial recognition vans will be deployed – but human rights groups argue the tech is “dangerous and discriminatory”.
The police’s use of facial recognition technology is to be significantly expanded in an attempt to catch more offenders, ministers have announced.
Under the plans, 10 live facial recognition (LFR) vans will be used by seven forces across England to help identify “sex offenders or people wanted for the most serious crimes”, according to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
FACIAL RECOGNITION: “In 15 years time the UK will probably be a province of China!” – @LeoKearse
👁 Facial recognition is being rolled out in a legal vacuum.
There’s no UK law specifically authorising live facial recognition. The Court of Appeal has ruled it unlawful.… pic.twitter.com/Dmlv8IRQq7
— Together (@Togetherdec) August 12, 2025
👁️Your passport photo = police mugshot
The Government has secretly been allowing police to search MILLIONS of UK passport photos with Orwellian facial recognition technology.
This is an historic breach of the right to privacy in Britain that must end.#StopFacialRecognition pic.twitter.com/HmY3JGPn1N
— Big Brother Watch (@BigBrotherWatch) August 7, 2025