Suffolk police to deploy facial recognition in three towns

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 12:28 · Archive

Suffolk Constabulary will use live facial recognition technology in Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich on 3-5 November.

Suffolk Constabulary will deploy live facial recognition technology in three town centres over consecutive days next month. The operation will take place in Lowestoft on 3 November, Bury St Edmunds on 4 November and Ipswich on 5 November. The system captures live camera feeds and compares faces against a watchlist of individuals of interest to police.

Images of anyone not on the list are deleted immediately, according to the force. Sergeant Anthony Welford of the County Partnership Prevention Hub said that the technology 'helps us locate wanted individuals, safeguard vulnerable people and enhance public safety'. He added that it 'helps us use our resources more effectively and allows officers to remain focused on protecting and supporting our communities'.

Suffolk Constabulary is borrowing a van and equipment from Bedfordshire Police for the three-day operation. This is not the first time the force has used the technology. According to the BBC, Suffolk Police made four arrests and scanned 80,000 faces when it deployed facial recognition in the same three towns in August. In February 2025, the technology scanned more than 47,000 faces during a six-hour period in Cornhill in Ipswich. The technology was also trialled at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft.

Suffolk's police and crime commissioner, Conservative Tim Passmore, said the cameras had 'huge potential to bring criminals to justice and prevent crime'. Sergeant Welford noted that during previous operations, 'many people took the opportunity to speak with officers and learn more about how the technology works'.

Suffolk police to deploy facial recognition in three towns — Image: BBC Suffolk

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How it is being reported

Facial recognition cameras to be used againSuffolk Police says "it helps us use our resources more effectively".BBC Suffolk · 26 Oct, 12:00
Live facial recognition technology to be used by police in three Suffolk town centresLive facial recognition technology is being rolled out once again in Suffolk to help track down criminals.East Anglian Daily Times · 26 Oct, 12:00
Live facial recognition technology to be used by police in three Suffolk town centresLive facial recognition technology is being rolled out once again in Suffolk to help track down criminals.Ipswich Star · 26 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Suffolk Constabulary · Bedfordshire Police · Lowestoft · Bury St Edmunds · Ipswich · Anthony Welford · Tim Passmore

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