Merseyside Police introducing Live Facial Recognition
It will begin in Liverpool City Centre on Monday 15 December
Facial recognition technology is going to be rolled out in Merseyside from next week.
The technology works by comparing faces captured on a live camera feed against a predetermined, secure watchlist of people wanted for serious offences, subject to court orders, or who pose a risk to the public or themselves.
When the system finds a match, a police officer will compare the image on screen with the person in view and decide whether to speak to them.
Images of people not on a watchlist are deleted within 0.2 seconds, with watchlist images deleted within 24 hours after each day of the technology being used.
Assistant Chief Constable Jennifer Wilson, Matrix and Force Operations, said:
"Live Facial Recognition is a vital tool that will help us quickly identify and apprehend those who pose the greatest risk to our communities.
"We’re committed to using the best technology to keep people safe, prevent crime, and protect the most vulnerable. LFR allows us to locate high-harm offenders swiftly and effectively.
"LFR is a great example of our officers using technology to work smarter, strengthening the way we deliver Neighbourhood Policing across Merseyside.
"We welcome members of the public to visit the highly visible vans when they’re in operation, see how the technology works, and speak with officers about the safeguards in place."
There are concerns around privacy, with civil liberties campaigners describing its use as "out of control", and turning Britain "into an open prison with surveillance of the general population".
ACC Wilson added:
"We recognise that facial recognition technology raises important questions about privacy, and we are committed to addressing those concerns openly and responsibly.
"This is not mass surveillance. Anyone not included on a watchlist cannot be identified. This technology is focused solely on preventing and detecting crime and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
"Before this technology is deployed in the community, strict checks are in place to ensure its use is both necessary and proportionate.
"LFR has already proven successful in other police forces, and we’re building on their experience to ensure it delivers the same positive results here in Merseyside."
The technology has been used by the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police since 2017 and is being trialled by other forces including Merseyside, GMP, Sussex, Hampshire, Essex and Bedfordshire.
It will first be deployed by Merseyside in Liverpool city centre on Monday 15 December.