'This isn't about mass surveillance': West Yorkshire Police rollout use of live facial recognition in Leeds

LFR will be used in carefully selected authorised locations across the county to help identify individuals who are wanted by the courts, subject to arrest, or pose a risk to the public.

It will also be used to locate missing persons, key witnesses to serious offences and victims of offences such as modern slavery.

The technology works by scanning faces in real time and comparing them against an authorised watchlist of individuals of legitimate interest to the police.

Faces that match the biometrics of someone on a watchlist will create an alert, while data relating to all other faces scanned by the system will be instantly deleted, West Yorkshire Police have reassured the public.

The Force has two fully liveried LFR vans which will be deployed for the first time in Leeds city centre. on Tuesday.

West Yorkshire Police says that the deployment of LFR will be intelligence-led and proportionate, with a clear focus on tackling serious crime, protecting vulnerable people, and supporting public safety.

They have reiterated that they “will not be used for mass surveillance or indiscriminate monitoring”.

Chief Inspector Daniel Tillett, who is leading the rollout of the technology, said: “Live Facial Recognition is being introduced as part of our commitment to keeping the people of West Yorkshire safe, protecting vulnerable people and reducing crime.

“It is a really useful tool that will assist officers in their day-to-day work.”

Cn Insp Tillett added: “We understand that the use of facial recognition technology raises important questions about privacy and civil liberties. That’s why we are committed to using LFR in a transparent, proportionate, and accountable way.

“The technology will only be used in specific circumstances where there is a clear policing purpose and need. It will always be accompanied by clear signage and oversight.

“Our aim is to use this as a tool to help locate dangerous individuals, safeguard the public, and support victims of crime — not to monitor ordinary people going about their daily lives.

“We have worked closely with legal and ethical experts to ensure that the use of LFR complies with all relevant legislation, including data protection and human rights laws.”

Independent oversight and regular reviews will be in place to ensure the technology is used responsibly and effectively.

The Force has said it is committed to engaging with local communities to explain how LFR works, why it is being used, and what safeguards are in place.

Public feedback will play a key role in shaping how the technology is deployed in the future.

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE said: “Policing must have up-to-date operational tools at their disposal to catch criminals, and this live facial recognition technology offers an innovative opportunity to help prevent and solve crimes, doing the work in minutes that could take officers many hours.

“It is being introduced in West Yorkshire to help protect our communities, identifying individuals who pose a serious threat—such as those wanted for violent crimes or helping to find missing vulnerable people.

“Similarly, it supports our mission to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade, honing in and apprehending those wanted for stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse.

“We understand the risks and will continue to scrutinise the way police deploy this resource.”

For more information about LFR and how it is being used by West Yorkshire Police, visit the force’s website here.