A significant majority of the British public supports the deployment of controversial live facial recognition technology in public spaces, with many prepared to sacrifice some personal privacy if it means more criminals are caught off the streets.
This is according to a new Ipsos poll which shows that nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults in England and Wales back government plans to fund 40 new Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans.
These mobile units would scan faces in town centres, high streets, and high-crime areas to identify wanted individuals in real time. Just 17% said they oppose the move, while another 17% expressed doubt that the technology would actually help reduce crime.
The findings highlight a clear public appetite for tougher policing tools amid ongoing concerns about crime levels and visible police presence.
Over half (53%) of those surveyed said they would accept a loss of personal privacy in public places if it helps police catch more criminals. In contrast, only 24% prioritised protecting the privacy of ordinary citizens, even if it made apprehending offenders more difficult.
More than half (54%) believed the presence of such vans on their local high street would make them feel safer, with 29% thinking it would make no difference and 13% saying it would leave them feeling less secure.
Yes to cameras, no to AI
The data shows awareness of the technology is widespread: 95% of Britons have heard of facial recognition being used in policing, and 52% reported hearing a fair amount or a great deal about it.
“The support for facial recognition technology suggests that security remains a priority for many, despite privacy considerations,” said Hannah Shrimpton, Research Director at Ipsos.
“However, the clear discomfort with AI chatbots indicates that there is work to be done in improving public trust in digital solutions. There’s a delicate balance to strike between advancing technological capabilities and maintaining public confidence.”
The poll also revealed scepticism towards other proposed policing innovations. For instance, only 28% thought using AI chatbots to handle non-urgent online enquiries would improve police service, while 46% believed it would make things worse. A majority (57%) said they would feel uncomfortable being responded to by an AI chatbot for such matters.
The results come as the government pushes forward with expanded use of facial recognition as part of broader policing reforms, positioning the technology as a key tool for enhancing public safety in an era of strained police resources and rising demands for visible enforcement.
Critics, however, continue to raise concerns about potential misidentification, civil liberties, and the effect on everyday freedoms.
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