“We need more robust rules in place to ensure companies developing and deploying facial recognition technology are doing enough to protect data,” he said.
“Those respondents raising civil liberties issues often said facial recognition should be prohibited at protests and demonstrations, fearing it could be used to target or discourage participants,” it said.
“Respondents [also] raised concerns that facial recognition could be used beyond its original purpose and evolve into routine mass surveillance without binding limits.
In that time, there have been repeated calls from Parliament and civil society for the use of facial recognition by police to be regulated.
In March 2026, the force also started to trial handheld facial recognition technology that will allow officers to conduct biometric checks on the spot.