Live Facial Recognition cameras being used in Devon for first time
The cameras started being used by the force this month in Cornwall
Police will use Live Facial Recognition cameras for the first time in Devon today,
They were first used earlier this month across the force area during the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay, and will today be used in Exmouth.
A spokesperson for police in Exmouth said: "The kit is set up to specifically look for a pre-determined group of wanted people, those that like to steal things and those that present a risk to vulnerable people in our community.
"If it detects them, the officers will engage the individual for a chat.
"This is not the Eye of Sauron from Lord of the Rings. It is not all seeing. It is not fussed if you are enjoying a coffee or popping out for some milk or a birthday card for your gran - and not a wanted criminal."
The officer added: "This not some slap dash thing we just chose to do. We have been looking to do it for a couple of months and a lot of consideration and effort goes into getting its deployment authorised at a very high level."
There's a detailed police question and answer section about the cameras here