North Yorkshire Police is bringing in facial recognition technology, the force announced today.
Live facial recognition cameras will be used to help protect vulnerable people and tackle serious crime, police say.
It will help identify individuals who pose a risk to the public and those wanted by the police.
And the tech could also help identify people subject to court orders restricting them from certain areas.
The tech works by comparing live camera footage to those on the wanted list.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “When the system identifies a potential match, officers are alerted and will immediately review the information, carry out further checks and determine whether action is required.
“Images that do not match the watchlist are deleted immediately and permanently. The watchlist itself is deleted at the conclusion of each deployment.”
The government has proposed funding 40 new LFR vans across UK police forces, investing £26 million for a national facial recognition system, and £11.6 million to support LFR capability and coordination.
Although North Yorkshire Police has not previously used LFR and is not currently investing in new LFR capability, the force is taking proactive steps to ensure it is prepared to use regional assets and align with national guidance on its deployment.
Following that, deployments would only take place where there are a clear policing purpose and a strong intelligence case to do so.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Ben Moseley is leading on the roll-out of live facial recognition within North Yorkshire Police
He said: “Policing is evolving rapidly, and emerging technologies such as Live Facial Recognition offer enhanced opportunities to prevent harm, safeguard communities and identify high‑risk offenders more swiftly.”
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for policing, fire and crime has concerns about the technology.
“The use of any new technology requires particular scrutiny and assurance as some members of the public may be concerned about implications in terms of civil liberties, safeguarding and the potential targeting of minority groups.
“I recognise those concerns and am seeking particular and ongoing assurances around this proposal from North Yorkshire in a number of areas.”
These areas include things “data storage, access and sharing with particular regard to people’s civil liberties and the companies involved in the provision of the technology and whether they have any access to York and North Yorkshire information”.
Another concern is “where and when it is anticipated the use of this technology in York and North Yorkshire might be useful, what the crime and antisocial behaviour picture is at those times and in those places at present and how it is proposed this technology would help”.
Ms Coles added: “The responses to these issues may not reassure everyone and I know that some people are opposed to any use of this kind of technology by the police under any circumstances.
“However, as crime evolves, it is right that the police explore new tools that may help keep people safe – provided this is done responsibly and with robust safeguards.”
