Live facial Recognition Operation on South road

Southall SNT Facial Recognition Operation – 16th June 2026

On Tuesday 16th June 2026, Southall Safer Neighbourhood Team, supported by uniformed proactive teams, carried out a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) operation in Southall.

Facial Recognition Technology is used by the Metropolitan Police Service to prevent and detect crime, locate wanted individuals, safeguard vulnerable people, and protect the public from harm. The deployment of this technology is subject to strict legal and operational controls to ensure it is used proportionately and responsibly.

During the operation, LFR cameras were positioned along The Broadway and South Road. As individuals passed through the area, their images were processed in real time and compared against a pre-authorised watchlist of individuals wanted by police.

Over the six-hour period:

Arrests included individuals wanted for serious offences, including robbery, knife-related offences, and one suspect of a sexual assault who had avoided capture for 15 years until he was stopped by local officers. 

Officers also engaged with members of the public throughout the day, with many local residents expressing support for the visible policing presence and use of technology to tackle crime.

Acting Inspector Laurence Bisdee, who led the operation, said:

“This was a successful operation demonstrating how technology can support officers in keeping our communities safe. Local officers are on the street working hard every day to try and make a difference in Southall, so it was great to be part of an operation which delivered such fantastic results and removed wanted and violent offenders off our streets.”