Police to use Live Facial Recognition across Devon and Cornwall this August
The technology will be clearly marked by a van and signposted in its areas of operation
Last updated 6th Aug 2026
Devon and Cornwall Police is now using Live Facial Recognition - starting at Boardmasters - to help officers safeguard communities and locate wanted individuals.
The first use in Newquay from the 6th to the 8th of August, uses a special van and signs are being put up to tell those in the centre.
LFR works by analysing a live camera feed against a watchlist of people wanted by police.
The system generates a mathematical representation of an individual's facial features and compares it to stored images.
Those not on the watchlist will have their data permanently deleted within seconds, ensuring their privacy remains intact.
When a potential match is identified, trained officers will evaluate and decide whether engagement is necessary.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman highlighted the commitment to transparency, stating: "We are committed to being open about where we are using it, when it is used and the safeguards that are in place to ensure it is used in a transparent and proportionate way."
The technology will be clearly marked by a van and signposted in its areas of operation, with uniformed officers present to validate matches.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez expressed support, affirming: "The use of live facial recognition has been tried and tested elsewhere, and I am pleased to see our communities here in Devon and Cornwall benefiting from this technology."
All future operations will be announced on the police website with a minimum of seven days’ notice.
For additional information and frequently asked questions, visit Live Facial Recognition on the Devon & Cornwall Police website.