Drone network part of Met's London-wide tech push (opens original article in a new tab)

The Met Police's expansion of facial recognition technology faces calls for pause due to lack of safeguards, while political parties commit to increasing officer numbers and tech investment to improve policing effectiveness.

• Akiko Hart of Liberty calls for pause in police use of facial recognition until safeguards are in place
• Sir Mark argues police tech budgets have halved compared to other public bodies
• Home Office claims record investment in technology and officer numbers to combat crime
• Labour, Conservative, and Reform UK pledged to increase police officer numbers in 2024 election manifestos