Oxford Street is one of the world’s busiest shopping areas, with about half a million visitors each day.
It comes as a stretch of Oxford Street is due to be pedestrianised next week, with plans for the whole street to eventually become traffic-free.
The Metropolitan Police plans to use static, live, facial recognition cameras in London’s West End and Soho – which have some of the highest crime rates in London.
Yet permanent, facial recognition cameras are set to be installed in one of the country’s busiest destinations without a legal framework to protect the public’s rights.
A Met spokesperson said: “Live, facial recognition is an important tool which is helping us keep London safe.