Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Efficiency: Technology

Monday 23 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Police forces must comply with data protection and human rights laws when using live facial recognition technology.
  • Live facial recognition is only for targeted deployments to locate specific individuals on a watchlist.
  • An independent review by Lord Hogan-Howe is being carried out to advise on the number of regional police forces needed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Policing & Resources Standards & Ethics
Context

The question addresses concerns about the use of technology to increase police efficiency and highlights issues such as wrongful arrests linked to live facial recognition systems.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to use technology to increase police efficiency. In light of wrongful arrests linked to live facial recognition, will she reassure that deployment, oversight and auditing are subject to robust safeguards and when the framework for facial recognition will be published?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Police forces must comply with data protection, human rights, equality laws. Live facial recognition is only for targeted deployments to locate specific individuals on a watchlist. We have consulted on legal framework and are going through responses now, will bring forward proposals in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for when the facial recognition framework will be published

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Q2 Allison Gardner Lab Stoke-on-Trent South
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns have been raised about wrongful arrests linked to live facial recognition technology and the need for robust safeguards.

Question

While recognising the importance of improving police efficiency, concerns exist regarding wrongful arrests due to racial bias in facial recognition systems. Will she ensure deployment, oversight and auditing are subject to robust safeguards and state when the framework will be published?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Police forces must comply with data protection, human rights laws. Live facial recognition is only for targeted deployments to locate specific individuals on a watchlist. We have consulted on legal framework and are going through responses now.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for when the facial recognition framework will be published

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Q3 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Policing & Resources
Context

There are concerns that a merger of Lancashire and Cumbria police forces may lead to fewer officers in less populated areas.

Question

The proposal for merging Lancashire and Cumbria police forces is being argued as improving police efficiency. However, there is risk that Cumbria's police force will be drawn down to larger urban centres in Lancashire. Does the Home Secretary agree it would be wise to call off this merger?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

There are no planned mergers. An independent review is being carried out by Lord Hogan-Howe. The review will advise on number of regional forces needed. Local police areas will be key in reforms dealing with the issues raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether calling off the merger would be wise, instead stated there are no planned mergers and outlined independent review process

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