Met officers using live facial recognition technology near Finsbury Park station

THE Metropolitan Police have been accused of “overriding democracy” by deploying “dystopian” live facial recognition technology (LFR) 10 times in Islington this year.

Two years ago Islington Council voted unanimously on a motion against the use of LFR within the borough. Councillors were angered when their motion was ignored by the Met, who continued to deploy the technology.

Records show it has been deployed 10 times across “crime hotspots” this year. It is a sharp rise, considering it was used just once last year.

Councillor Benali Hamdache, leader of Islington Greens and a member of the London Assembly, said the Met’s decision to defy the council and ramp up its usage exposed a “democratic deficit” in the way police work with local authorities.

He told the Tribune: “It’s really worrying that the police are just sweeping aside a council that says they have deep concerns over how the technology is used.

“There was a democratic decision made where we said that we did not want to see LFR being used in this borough, and I’d like to see Labour politicians who voted against that hold up that value, because nothing has changed.”

Records show LFR has been deployed 10 times across ‘crime hotspots’ this year

Jasleen Chaggar, a policy officer for civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: “Councils really don’t seem to have very much power, and it flies in the face of democratic scrutiny when the Met continue to roll out this technology against councillors who have opposed it.

“If there’s no law regulating it, no parliament debate and the police just ignore what councillors say, then there is no democratic oversight or accountability.”

Cllr Hamdache added that he had seen evidence that some within the Labour council, who had initially opposed the use of the technology, were now supporting it.

In an interview with the Tribune about safety in Finsbury Park in August, leader of the council Cllr Una O’Halloran was asked if she now ­supported the use of LFR, and responded that the council could “see the benefits” of using it.

And Cllr Paul Convery, the Town Hall’s finance chief, appeared to show his support for its use in Highbury Corner, posting online that there were “almost no self-entitled people ploughing through the area on cycles and e-bikes” as a result.

Jeremy Corbyn, Islington North MP, said he was “disturbed” by the increased use of LFR within the borough, adding: “This represents a serious threat to privacy, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. This technology has also been shown to disproportionately misidentify minority ethnic communities.”

The Tribune requested an interview with the council on the issue, but was not granted one.

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn

Instead, in a written response, Islington’s safety chief Cllr Heather Staff said: “Keeping residents safe is our priority. We work closely with the police and other partners to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and to ensure residents feel safe in their neighbourhoods.

“The council has previously raised concerns about the use of Live Facial Recognition technology, both publicly and directly with policing partners. These concerns include its potential impact on civil liberties and community trust, as well as concerns about disproportionate impacts on black, Asian and ethnically minoritised communities. Those concerns remain. However, decisions about the deployment of Live Facial Recognition are a matter for the Metropolitan Police and the council does not have powers to prevent its use in the borough.

“We continue engaging constructively with the police and other partners to ensure residents’ concerns are heard and that any use of the technology is lawful, proportionate and subject to appropriate safeguards. Our focus is on ensuring we have effective neighbourhood policing and strong partnership working to help residents feel safe in their communities.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “Live Facial Recognition is an important tool that helps us keep London safe. Since 2024, it has led to more than 3,000 arrests for offences including domestic abuse, rape and child sexual abuse, with over 2,000 cases brought before the courts.

“The Met’s LFR system has been independently tested, its use is lawful and supported by strong safeguards. All deployments are clearly signposted and highly visible, and three-quarters of Londoners support the use of LFR to help keep them safe.”