Sussex drugs suspect first arrested using Live Facial Recognition technology
Brighton deployment leads to arrest as new tech goes live
A drugs suspect has become the first person in Sussex to be arrested using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology, after its deployment in Brighton earlier this month.
On 2nd December, officers used LFR technology at Churchill Square in Brighton city centre. The system identified a 42-year-old man as being wanted for offences linked to drug supply and organised crime.
He was stopped in Western Road and arrested on suspicion of several offences, including possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, involvement in organised crime activities, money laundering, and fraud by false representation.
Detective Chief Superintendent Carwyn Hughes, who oversees LFR for Surrey Police and Sussex Police, said, “This was a remarkable arrest made by officers in just the second deployment of its type in Sussex.
“This arrest demonstrates that the technology and our teams are focussed on catching criminals who present the most harm to our communities.”
Live Facial Recognition technology functions in real time by comparing live camera feeds against a police watchlist of individuals, such as wanted persons, sex offenders, and perpetrators of domestic abuse. Images of individuals not on the watchlist are deleted instantly, while watchlist images are removed within 24 hours after each deployment.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne highlighted the benefits of LFR, saying, “It’s a powerful tool for keeping people safe but it must be used responsibly and transparently. My priority is to ensure that its use remains proportionate, ethical, and focused on protecting the public.”
The deployment of LFR vans comes after Surrey Police and Sussex Police successfully obtained the technology through a bid to the Home Office. Earlier deployments in Redhill and Crawley proved successful.
The arrested man has been bailed pending further enquiries.