Surveillance Soho: CCTV with listening AI installed in West End

Cameras that can detect "excessive noise" are being deployed in Westminster. Residents welcome it, but some fear for local nightlife

The CCTV control room in west London. Photo credit: LBHF

Morning — for years, Westminster council and local residents have been trying to quieten down central London. Now, they’ve got a powerful new tool at their disposal: artificial intelligence.

Since last summer, CCTV cameras equipped with AI listening technology have been rolled out across the city centre. The system can detect excessive noise — including specific sounds like screams or bangs — and alert council operators in real-time. There will be 200 of these high-tech cameras across the Westminster borough when the installations are complete.

Some West End residents say it’s a much-needed solution to the chaos that spills out onto streets late at night, particularly in areas like Soho. But for local businesses — and those invested in London’s nightlife — the surveillance system feels like a step too far. They fear the new tech will curb the area’s cultural vibrancy. One source tells us: “They’re arming themselves for licensing restrictions”.

Today, we’re bringing you an exclusive investigation into Westminster’s controversial AI noise cameras — who’s behind them, what they can really do, and what they mean for the future of the West End after dark.

The full story is below.

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Exclusive: 200 cameras with AI capabilities rolled out across Westminster

By the Spy team

Photo credit: LBHF

Westminster council is deploying CCTV in the West End equipped with artificial intelligence that can detect "excessive noise", raising concerns that the listening tool will have a chilling effect on central London's nightlife.