Bedfordshire Police could soon become one of the latest UK forces to implement live facial recognition technology, with plans to deploy it on local streets potentially as early as the Summer of 2025.
During a recent Police and Crime Panel meeting, John Tizard [1] who is the Police and Crime Commissioner elaborated on a forthcoming plan, emphasizing that while the police force is prepared, it is still pending final approvals from the Home Office. This initiative [2] is part of the county’s Safer Streets Summer Initiative, claiming it will curb crimes such as shop theft and street assaults during the bustling summer period. Tizard mentioned that officers have received specialized training and vehicles have been outfitted for LFR operations, positioning the force to launch the initiative as soon as regulatory consent is granted. “We are still waiting for the Home Office to agree the technology to be used across the country. But we have got officers trained and we have got vehicles,” said Tizard.
The proposed implementation of facial recognition technology in Bedfordshire reflects a growing trend among police forces across the UK, with many expanding their biometric surveillance capabilities. Earlier in 2025, the Metropolitan Police took a significant step by becoming [3] the first police department in the UK to install permanent facial recognition cameras, beginning in Croydon. Lindsey Chiswick, [4] who is director of intelligence of the Metropolitan police said, “This technology is making London safer by removing dangerous offenders. It's saving officers valuable time and delivering quicker, more accurate results.” However, Madeleine Stone, [5] a Senior Advocacy Officer at Big Brother Watch, says the extent of surveillance is concerning. “There will be biometric cameras fixed throughout Croydon, which will have a chilling and dystopian effect on the high street. This is Chinese-style surveillance.”
Data from 2024 indicated [6] that the Metropolitan Police scanned around 4.7 million faces, which more than doubled their figures from previous years. While law enforcement officials contend that live facial recognition can aid in identifying individuals wanted for serious offenses or associated with criminal activity, the technology has sparked considerable debate. The UK Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s [7] annual report for 2023-2024 pointed out deficiencies in the current legal framework, cautioning about “potential regulatory and policy shortcomings” related to LFR usage. “Through tapping into the diversity of thinking and approach held by all the key stakeholders, there is the possibility for ministers to obtain the best, most robust and properly tested advice that is currently available. However, notwithstanding the process of how any such advice is collated, the end outcome must be greater clarity and guidance on how biometrics and surveillance camera issues are to be delivered and overseen for the public. There are many options that could work, and I look forward to seeing what those structures will look like in the near future,” the report concluded.
At present, law enforcement agencies utilize general common-law policing authority, [8] the Data Protection Act 2018, and [9] the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice as their basis for implementing live facial recognition technology. Notably, there is no specific legislation that directly governs its use. During a parliamentary discussion earlier this month, Yvette Cooper [10] who is the Home Secretary spoke on the necessity for a more explicit legal framework.“There is a concern many officers have about not having a proper governance framework in place to allow them to [deploy the tech],” said Copper, “We do think a new framework is needed … in order to give forces the confidence to use it with the right standards in place.”
Bedfordshire Police announced that [11] its proposed live racial recognition policy will incorporate safeguards akin to those implemented nationwide. This includes limiting watchlists to individuals suspected of serious offenses, promptly deleting images when no match is found, and releasing Equality Impact Assessments prior to any deployments. Bedfordshire Police claims these initiatives are designed to strike a balance between security aims and the protection of privacy and civil liberties. The advancement of Bedfordshire’s pilot programme may hinge on the speed at which UK government policymakers finalize their guidance. Amid ongoing discussions, the county's plans reflect a broader issue confronting UK law enforcement on how to adopt new technologies while maintaining public trust.