Six held in live facial recognition operation

The use of live facial recognition (LFR) cameras in Northamptonshire has resulted in six people being arrested.

Police deployed the LFR cameras in Northampton, Kettering and Wellingborough on 28 and 29 November and on 5 and 6 December.

Northamptonshire Police said the technology helped catch four people wanted for offences including shoplifting, immigration offences and sexual assault, and two who were found to be in breach of the conditions of sexual harm prevention orders.

Det Ch Supt Rich Tompkins said he was "really pleased with the positive results achieved" by the LFR cameras.

Northamptonshire Police has previously used the equipment as part of its operations at the British Grand Prix, but this was the first time it had been used in the county other than at the F1 event.

Vans were loaned to the force by neighbouring Bedfordshire Police for the operation.

Officers previously said they would delete the images that triggered alerts immediately after using them or within 24 hours.

The images and biometric data of people who do not cause alerts are automatically and immediately deleted.

During the four days of deployment, there were 13 positive alerts, resulting in six arrests.

Police said the most significant arrest was that of a man wanted in connection with a sexual assault on a child. When he was stopped, he was found in possession of a lock knife. He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and bailed for the sexual assault.

Det Ch Supt Tompkins said: "We understand the concern some people have about LFR but, as the results of this operation show, it's a hugely valuable tool in helping to fight crime and protect our communities.

"We will now look for further opportunities to utilise live facial recognition in helping to tackle serious and priority crime such as violence against women and girls, as we work toward the introduction of our own LFR technology in early 2026."

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