London shoppers face facial scans as Oxford Street gets new cameras | Daily Sabah

It comes as a stretch of Oxford Street is due to be pedestrianized 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.

"Despite a public consultation on facial recognition closing in February, the government has yet to publish its response.

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.