Hammersmith and Fulham Council is set to upgrade its extensive CCTV network with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, aiming to enhance crime detection and public safety. The council's Community Safety Board heard that a £3.2 million investment is underway to integrate AI modules for knife detection, aggressive behaviour recognition, and facial recognition.
The council operates one of the UK's largest CCTV networks, with approximately 2,300 cameras across the borough, monitored 24/7. The AI enhancement programme, which began in September 2025, will see multi-sensory cameras deployed in key areas, alongside integrated speaker and lighting systems.
Justin Hunt, Interim Assistant Director of Community Safety, explained that the AI for knife and aggressive behaviour detection is less prone to bias than facial recognition, which is still under exploration. He confirmed that the AI knife detection pilot was successful and that the software is being rolled out to 50% of cameras, expected to go live in the coming weeks. The timeline for a full rollout to 100% of cameras has not yet been detailed, nor have the specific criteria for success that will determine this expansion.
The AI is being trained to recognise aggressive behaviour, with the system designed to alert operatives to situations where a group of people are behaving aggressively. However, the potential limitations or false positive rates associated with this detection were not specified.
Councillor Jeremy Maddocks raised questions about the practicalities of camera monitoring and staffing levels. Mr. Hunt stated that a minimum of three operatives are in the CCTV room at any time, with shift patterns increasing this number. The AI system is intended to improve proactive detection, allowing operatives to respond more effectively to alerts.
The upgrade is part of a broader investment in advanced CCTV technologies, which also includes the installation of new private fibre networks and the replacement of aging camera equipment. The programme is nearing completion and aims to significantly improve the system's resilience and capacity for future technological advancements. Beyond knife and aggressive behaviour detection, no other specific AI capabilities were discussed for future integration.
Regarding facial recognition technology, Mr. Hunt stated that The scrutiny related to live facial recognition within on a national basis is very significant, and therefore it is a work stream for us to work through that with the providers of the software. And we will need to have we will need to achieve a level of assurance if we were to introduce it. So that that ultimately is the basis on which we need to make sure that it is introduced in a compliant way, and that will need to be kept under review.
This indicates a cautious approach to its implementation, with a focus on ensuring compliance and obtaining assurance from software providers.
Further details on the council's investment in advanced CCTV technologies can be found in the Public reports pack for the Community Safety Board meeting on 14th July 2026. Public reports pack 14th Jul 2026 19:00 Community Safety Board
