Police to deploy live facial recognition in Bath city centre
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 20:21 · Archive
Avon and Somerset Police will deploy live facial recognition technology in Bath on 25 November to identify people on pre-authorised watchlists.
Avon and Somerset Police will deploy live facial recognition (LFR) technology in Bath city centre on 25 November. The technology uses live CCTV cameras to identify individuals in crowded spaces by comparing captured faces against pre-authorised watchlists of people suspected of serious offences, wanted by courts, or those who may pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others.
The force says the deployment will be overt and clearly signposted. Areas using the technology will feature marked vehicles and signage, with officers available to answer public questions. SomersetLive reports the rollout is planned for 26 November, the day before Bath's Christmas Market opens. All captured images that do not match someone on the watchlist are automatically and permanently deleted.
When the system identifies a possible match, trained police officers review the alert and may conduct further checks before deciding whether to take action. The force said the technology does not make decisions by itself and is governed by strict legal, data protection and equality safeguards. Inspector Stuart King, the force's operational lead for LFR, said it would only be used when "lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so". The technology is already in place in parts of London, Devon and Bradford.
How it is being reported
- Police to use facial recognition software in Bath city centreMembers of the public walking through Bath city centre could have their faces scanned in real time by marked police surveillance vansSomersetLive · 5 Nov, 20:02
- Live facial recognition to be introduced in cityAvon and Somerset Police said the overt technology will help to protect the public .BBC Somerset · 5 Nov, 15:29
In this story: Avon and Somerset Police · Bath · Stuart King · London · Devon · Bradford
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