North Yorkshire Police exploring the roll out of Live Facial Recognition (LFR)

North Yorkshire Police has today announced that it is planning the implementation and use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology within York and North Yorkshire to help protect vulnerable people and tackle serious crime.

LFR will be used in carefully selected, intelligence‑led locations to help identify individuals who pose a risk to the public, people wanted for criminal offences by the police or the courts, and those subject to court orders restricting them from certain areas.

The technology works by comparing live camera footage to a watchlist made up of individuals who meet the criteria above. 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.

A number of forces across the country are now using the technology to successfully locate wanted individuals more efficiently, protect vulnerable people and deter crime through targeted deployments.

In support of LFR the government has proposed significant investment in policing technology including funding for 40 new LFR vans, £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, who is leading on the roll-out of Live Facial Recognition within North Yorkshire Police, 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.”

North Yorkshire Police will continue to follow national developments closely and will update the public as planning progresses.

More information about LFR can be found here: Police use of facial recognition - GOV.UK