Concerns regarding freedom of expression prompted the Metropolitan Police to refrain from utilizing live facial recognition technology during the Unite the Kingdom rally in London, according to its commissioner.

Sir Mark Rowley stated that facial recognition had not been employed at any protests so far, including the recent march in London organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. This decision was influenced by fears of a potential chilling effect on speech.

He emphasized that the police needed to balance managing protests where individuals were voicing their opinions with those that could devolve into violence or unrest.

During his address to the London Policing Board on Tuesday, he mentioned that an additional 50 arrests are anticipated.

These forthcoming arrests for violent disorder will be in addition to the 24 already made, following an incident where 26 officers were injured on site—four of whom sustained serious injuries—at a rally with over 150,000 attendees.

The police have charged eight individuals with various offenses, including assault and public order violations.

Meanwhile, approximately 5,000 attendees participated in a counter-protest organized by Stand Up To Racism.

In response to queries from the London Policing Board regarding the contrasting strategy with Notting Hill Carnival, Sir Mark noted, “It’s a classic case of navigating challenging public order situations.”

He highlighted the complexity of managing a large crowd, where tens of thousands might express their views peacefully, while a small number could engage in serious violence.

“The use of LFR [live facial recognition] has not been implemented at any protest thus far, and I am cautious about employing it in such contexts as opposed to more controlled events. This is primarily due to considerations of free speech and the protections outlined in the Human Rights Act, which must be factored into our decision-making process.”

He added, “The last protest organized by these same individuals did not encounter significant issues; thus, it isn’t entirely accurate to assume that every event they organize will result in trouble.”

His comments followed last month’s Notting Hill Carnival, which the Metropolitan Police reported resulted in “far fewer” instances of serious violence compared to previous years.

Over two days, there were more than 420 arrests and two stabbings, neither of which resulted in serious injuries.

In 2024, the Carnival witnessed two fatalities from stabbings, while there were eight stabbings in 2023.

Sir Mark remarked, “I’ve discussed the intelligence surrounding the number of stabbings and the two homicides, alongside last year’s events at Carnival, reflecting a troubling history of violence.”

He explained that while the Carnival attracts hundreds of thousands celebrating culture, a concerning number are drawn to criminal activities, creating risk for the majority of law-abiding attendees.

“This intelligence has accumulated over several years, leading us to recognize that there are indeed dangerous elements that could jeopardize the event for the larger, peaceful crowd, and that must be addressed.”

He asserted, “There’s a very solid intelligence foundation guiding our decision to deploy resources in such contexts.”