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The Metropolitan Police has said live facial recognition (LFR) technology played a key role in policing this year’s Notting Hill Carnival, helping officers identify almost 100 people of interest across the two-day event, leading directly to 61 arrests.
More than 7,000 officers were deployed each day during the Carnival, which saw a total of 528 arrests and a reduction in incidents of serious violence compared with previous years. Officers also responded to four stabbing and slashing incidents, none of which resulted in life-threatening injuries.
Policing Notting Hill Carnival by the numbers:
- Stop and search up 57%
- Arrests up 51%
- Robbery down 70%
- Violence down 53%
- Sexual offences down 8%
- 16 arrests for violence
- Two knives recovered
- 13 arrests for violence againts women and girls (VAWG)
- Four individuals wanted on recall to prison
- 30 registered sex offenders stopped to check they were complying with their conditions
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward, who led the operation, said this year’s proactive approach combined visible policing with advanced technology.
“Our policing operation was focused on keeping people safe by targeting those who were coming to Carnival to cause harm to others. Live facial recognition proved particularly successful, with the technology helping officers to identify almost 100 people of interest over two days who, without it, would likely have gone unnoticed in the busy crowds.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward.
In addition to live facial recognition cameras, the police used knife arches, CCTV, a helicopter and additional stop-and-search powers at key entry points.
DAC Ward said the operation was supported by organisers and community figures who called on people to reject violence in the run-up to the event, which he credited with contributing to an overall safer environment.
Crowd management remains an ongoing concern. The Metropolitan Police noted that although improvements were made this year, further work is required. An independent review into crowd safety is expected to report in October, with recommendations likely to require additional funding to ensure future Carnivals can be delivered safely and sustainably.
Find out more about LFR at The Emergency Tech Show
The debate around live facial recognition goes beyond arrests. Police forces across the UK are considering how to use the technology in a way that is ethical, transparent and effective.
This year’s The Emergency Tech Show will host a dedicated session titled ‘Live Facial Recognition – bringing communities with you‘. The session will feature Police Scotland and Devon & Cornwall Police, who will share insights from their own journeys with LFR. Both forces will discuss how they are consulting the public and working to ensure deployments are ethical, proportionate and focused on enhancing community safety.
Register for your free ticket to The Emergency Tech Show here.
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