Keeping North Wales safe with facial recognition technology

North Wales Police will use live facial recognition (LFR) at specific events across the region following its successful deployment earlier this year at Holyhead Port.

Working with colleagues from South Wales Police the technology will be used to keep the public safe.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams North Wales Police’s head of operational support services, said: “Our primary aims in using this technology are to keep the public safe and to help us identify serious offenders who pose a significant risk to our communities.”

A survey completed on behalf of the Information Commissioner in 2021 indicated that 82% of respondents indicated that they were in support of the Police using LFR.

Chief Superintendent Williams added: “I believe public support will continue as we work to use all available methods and technologies to keep our communities safe. We will always ensure that our use of LFR is legal, ethical and legitimate.”

LFR compares a live camera feed of faces in a focused area against a predetermined watchlist in real-time. It is used to locate persons of interest by generating an alert when a possible match is found.

Before using LFR, a watchlist is created of persons that are wanted by the police and courts. The watchlist may also include people who may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others.

When a possible match is identified an officer will compare the camera image to the person they see and decide whether or not to speak to them. The decision to speak to a person following a possible match will always be tt of a police officer.

An explanation will always be given to the person as to why they have been selected. They will also be given an informational leaflet with contact details if they have further questions.

Persons who are not included on a watchlist cannot be identified.

The images and biometric data relating to persons who don’t cause an alert are automatically and immediately deleted.

In line with National Guidance, North Wales Police will do everything reasonably possible to let people know when and where we are using LFR in advance of any deployment, and any deployment will be accompanied by clearly identifiable signage to show that

More information on its use in North Wales is available here: Live Facial Recognition | North Wales Police