GMP to begin deployment of live facial recognition technology

The Home Office has supplied the force with two LFR vans, which will be used in areas where an operational need has been identified – not exclusively but areas with crime issues and large footfall, as well as music and sporting events.

GMP is due to deploy the vans on October 21 and 23 in Sale town centre.

The cameras will focus on a specific area or crowd and detect faces compared with a pre-prepared watchlist with an alert issued immediately if there is a match.

The force said it will delete the images with alerts immediately after using them or within 24 hours.

The images and biometric data of those who do not cause an alert are automatically and immediately deleted.

Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said LFR has been used with great success at other forces and it will draw on their experiences to make sure it a success in Greater Manchester.

“At GMP, we use traditional policing tools but also embrace new and developing technology,” he said.

‘This is a really good example of police officers and technology working hand-in-hand and will bolster our Neighbourhood Policing operation.

“LFR can be used in a number of ways, including to prevent and detect crime, find wanted criminals, safeguard vulnerable people, and to protect people from harm.

“It will also free up officers to respond to emergencies, spend time patrolling within their communities and investigating crime.

“It is a precise and targeted tool, only identifying specific individuals who have been added to a bespoke watchlist and will significantly speed up the process of identifying people at risk or wanted by police.

“It’s important that we dispel any myths around LFR and to be open and transparent with members of the public – it is not a ‘mass surveillance’ tool and law-abiding members of the public have nothing to fear if they see one our vans.

“We are committed to using it responsibly, transparently, and in full compliance with the law.”

LFR has been successfully used by the Metropolitan Police Service and South Wales Police since 2017, first deployed in the UK at the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus in Cardiff, and is being trialled at several forces including GMP, Hampshire, Essex and Bedfordshire.

In August 2024, use of LFR was endorsed by the Greater Manchester Independent Police Ethics Committee.

Mr Jackson added: “We have undertaken a robust process to ensure appropriate people wanted for criminal offences are contained in the lists we use for facial recognition

“There are strict criteria around the necessity and proportionality of the use of facial recognition before it can be deployed in the community.

“You will see the vans out and about on the streets of Greater Manchester and they can be used at big, live events like festivals, concerts and football matches.

“We encourage members of the public to come and view the vans when they are operational in the community understand how they operate and speak to officers around the safeguards in place.

“If you do happen to walk past one of our cameras and you’re not a match, your biometric data is immediately deleted. There is no recording or rewind facility.

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “LFR technology represents a significant step forward in our efforts to keep Greater Manchester safe.

“With the support of the Home Office, GMP is now equipped to use this precise and targeted tool to identify individuals wanted for serious offences, safeguard vulnerable people, and reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities.

“I welcome the robust ethical oversight and transparency measures in place, including publicising deployment schedules and ensuring biometric data is not stored.

“The Greater Manchester Independent Police Ethics Committee discussed this at length, taking in all considerations, so I am confident protective measures are in place.

“This is about responsible innovation – enhancing public safety while protecting civil liberties.

“I fully support GMP’s commitment to using LFR in a way that builds trust and confidence across Greater Manchester.”