Facial recognition technology (FRT) is a controversial innovation that has long hovered at the edge of mainstream security. Debate over its use has further intensified, with the UK government recently announcing a major expansion in the use of live facial recognition vans across seven police forces.
As a leading provider of professional security services covering central southern England, at Venture Security, we continue to watch these developments closely – not just for what they mean for UK policing, but for how private security firms can support the technology’s safe, ethical, and effective implementation.
What’s the latest on the rollout of Facial Recognition Technology?
In August 2025, the Home Office confirmed it will fund 10 new live facial recognition (LFR) vans, doubling the current fleet and extending coverage to forces in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, and Hampshire. These vans can scan faces in real time, comparing them to watchlists of individuals wanted for serious crimes, including sexual offences, violent assaults and murder.
The technology has already led to 580 arrests in London over a 12-month period, including 52 registered sex offenders who had breached their conditions.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing…
The BBC recently reported that a London man had been wrongly identified as a wanted suspect by the Metropolitan Police’s live facial recognition system – raising concerns about the technology’s accuracy and its impact on public trust.
His legal challenge – the first of its kind in the UK – underscores growing unease about the lack of specific legislation governing facial recognition, and the risk of misidentification, particularly in communities already facing strained relationships with law enforcement.
The use of this type of technology at public events – from music concerts to football matches – also sparking concerns around issues of privacy, consent and legal safeguards.
How does Facial Recognition Technology work?
Facial recognition systems map out key facial features, such as the distance between the eyes or the shape of the jawline. These features are then compared to data held about known individuals. In the case of LFR vans, a trained officer will review any matches flagged by the algorithm before action is taken.
Independent testing by the National Physical Laboratory found no bias in the algorithm based on ethnicity, age, or gender at the settings used by police. However, civil liberties groups like Big Brother Watch argue that the technology is being deployed “completely outside the law”.
The Pros of Facial Recognition Technology
- Speed and efficiency: Real-time identification can help locate suspects quickly in crowded environments.
- Crime prevention: Presence of FRT can deter known offenders from attending high-risk events.
- Resource optimisation: Supports overstretched police forces by automating parts of the surveillance process.
The Cons of Facial Recognition Technology
- Privacy concerns: Scanning faces without consent raises serious ethical questions.
- False positives: Misidentification can lead to wrongful stops or arrests, especially in diverse crowds.
- Legal ambiguity: Current deployment lacks a robust legislative framework, leaving room for misuse.
Who’s already using Facial Recognition Technology?
Facial recognition technology is already actively being trialled and deployed across various sectors, including policing, retail, healthcare and private security. Here are some examples of who is using it and why:
- Police forces – As already mentioned, live facial recognition vans are now used by police forces in London, South Wales, and newly expanded regions including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, and Hampshire.
- Airports – At airports, biometric gates powered by facial recognition are streamlining border control and boarding processes. In 2023, nearly 46% of global passengers used facial recognition at some point during their journey, a figure expected to rise sharply by 2026.
- Retailers – Trialling facial recognition for personalised marketing, loss prevention, and crowd monitoring.
- Hospitals – Healthcare settings are exploring its use for reducing patient misidentification and improving medication accuracy.
- Automotive sector – Facial recognition is being integrated into vehicles for driver authentication and personalised settings, with nearly 90% of new cars expected to include the feature by the end of 2025.
- Security firms – Beginning to explore facial recognition as part of access control, event security, and crowd management strategies.
Where do private security providers fit in?
For private security firms, like ourselves here at Venture, facial recognition isn’t just a policing tool, it is a technology that has the potential to offer an extra layer of protection within security strategies.
As a company that is experienced in handling security and crowd management for large public events, sporting venues and visitor attractions, we can clearly see the benefits. Especially in the face of rising and increasingly sophisticated threats.
But its use must always be ethical, transparent, proportionate, and legally sound. And it must always be managed by specially trained and licensed security officers.
While facial recognition may become part a solid part of the security toolkit it must never be a substitute for human judgment, situational awareness, or community rapport.
Security companies also have a role to play, not just in the technology’s deployment but in shaping best practice. That means:
- Engaging with customers – on the risks and benefits of FRT
- Training teams – to understand the technology and its limitations
- Collaborating with law enforcement – to ensure seamless, lawful integration
- Listening to the public – whose trust is essential for any surveillance strategy
So, what’s next for the technology?
Facial recognition is here to stay, but how it is used will define its legacy.
In response to growing public concern and legal ambiguity, the UK government has announced a formal consultation to shape new legislation governing facial recognition technology.
Set to launch in autumn 2025, the consultation will seek input on when and how live facial recognition should be deployed, what safeguards are necessary, and how oversight should be structured. We look forward to sharing our views and insights, as part of the consultation.
About Venture
As one of the UK’s top-rated security providers, Venture recently achieved its highest-ever SIA ACS score, placing us in the top 10 nationally. We’ve also been recognised with multiple industry awards for service quality, innovation, and team development.
Operating across Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Surrey, our team of over 200 professionals support customers across a diverse range of sectors, from heritage and hospitality to education and events.
Whether it’s stewarding a sold-out rugby match at Kingsholm Stadium or managing access control at a historic site, our approach is always the same: professional, visible, and community focused.
To find out more about our comprehensive range of corporate security services, and how they could help you, contact us on 01264 391538 / [email protected]
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