UK plans to scan faces at transport hubs and public events for immigration enforcement

People passing through transport hubs or attending crowded public events could be subjected to live facial recognition as the UK prepares to expand its use in immigration enforcement.

Here's what to know Facial images captured by LFR cameras would be checked against immigration enforcement watchlists, a system outlined in Home Office policy documents cited by Tech Times UK.

Immigration enforcement conducted three trials at the port of Holyhead, North Wales, from November 2025 through February.

More background The plans accompany a decision by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to increase immigration enforcement funding twofold and expand staffing by 60%.

"Immigration enforcement and police forces are exploiting an absence of national legislation regulating uses of AI technologies, including facial recognition, in the public sector."