Dates revealed for next live facial recognition days in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough town centres
Residents, shoppers and visitors to three North Northants towns will have their faces automatically scanned on three days over the next two months.
Northants Police will use live facial recognition (LFR) technology will be deployed on specific dates for ‘policing purposes only’, according to the force.
Members of the public will see signage in place around any operational areas, and uniformed officers will be available to ‘answer questions and provide reassurance’.
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “The use of LFR forms part of Northamptonshire Police’s ongoing work to keep people safe, prevent crime, and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
“LFR technology helps officers to check images in real time against a pre‑determined watchlist of people of interest by the police or the courts, or who may pose a risk of harm. It is not used for general surveillance.
“Northamptonshire Police is committed to being transparent about when and where LFR technology is used. Advance public notification is an important part of this approach, ensuring residents and visitors are aware of upcoming deployments and understand how the technology supports wider community safety.”
Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology deployments will take place on the following dates and locations:
Thursday, April 30 – Kettering town centre
Friday, May 8 – Corby town centre
Wednesday, May 13 – Wellingborough town centre
The cameras will also be operating in Northampton town centre on the following Fridays – March 27, April 10 and 24, and May 22 and 29.
Previously deployed in the run-up to Christmas last year, LFR technology resulted in the arrest of seven people – two in Wellingborough town centre and five in Northampton.
Northants Police justified the deployment saying it would ‘keep women and young girls safe’ and that ‘if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about’.
Additional information about how Live Facial Recognition works, the safeguards in place to protect privacy, and how data is managed can be found on the Northamptonshire Police website.
The spokeswoman added: “Northamptonshire Police remain committed to ensuring that all use of LFR technology is lawful, transparent, and proportionate.”
For more information about LFR, visit: http://www.northants.police.uk/.../live-facial-recognition/