Live facial recognition leads to 170 arrests in Croydon

A live facial recognition pilot in Croydon has led to 170 wanted criminals being arrested.

The six-month pilot saw static cameras deployed for the first time, with crime falling 10.5 per cent in the area compared to the same period last year.

The biggest reduction was seen in violence against women and girls’ offences, which were down by 21 per cent. 

Those arrested included people wanted for kidnap, rape and serious sexual assault.

Officers used the static cameras as part of 24 separate operations and made 173 arrests – the equivalent of one arrest every 35 minutes. 

Those arrested include a 36-year-old woman who was at large for more than 20 years and was wanted for failing to appear at court for an assault in 2004 and a 31-year-old man who was wanted for voyeurism for more than six months. A 41-year-old man was arrested for rape in relation to an incident which took place in November in Croydon.

Lindsey Chiswick, national and Met lead for live facial recognition, said: “These results show why live facial recognition is such a powerful tool when it’s used carefully, openly and in the right places. Crime in this area is down by more than ten per cent, and the public can see the difference.

“This technology is helping us find people wanted by the courts, identify serious offenders quickly and focus our resources where they make the biggest impact, all with exceptional accuracy.

“We will continue using static cameras in Croydon as part of our regular live facial recognition deployments which play a vital part in keeping London safe.”