27-04-2025
Facial recognition on south Essex high street results in three arrests
FACIAL recognition technology deployed on Grays High Street has resulted in three arrests for wanted pedestrians.
The technology was used by Essex Police on Friday and saw two vans scanning the faces for database matches.
In the past, the force has been keen to explain the details of the technology, including how it automatically and immediately deletes the faces of people it is not looking for.
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The arrests made on Friday as a result of the use of facial recognition software on Grays High Street included a man wanted for theft and a woman for assault.
A statement from Essex Police said: "Officers from Thurrock's Neighbourhood Policing Team and Operation Support Group teamed up Friday 25 April to deploy Facial Recognition on Grays High Street.
Technology - Facial recognition was used on Grays High Street on Friday (Image: Essex Police) "Our officers were out in force on Grays High Street between 10am and 5pm, ensuring your safety and catching wanted individuals and missing persons.
"With two vans and advanced facial recognition technology, we made three arrests for wanted individuals and had over 50 positive interactions with the public."
Live facial recognition technology, such as that being used on Grays High Street is reliant on making matches with those already in Essex Police's database.
Following the successful use of facial recognition in Southend last October, a spokesperson for the force said: "The technology utilises CCTV camera feeds to LFR software to scan faces against a predetermined database or 'watch list' of people of interest.
'The scanning of an image takes less than a second. The data/image of those not on the watchlist is automatically and immediately deleted and not stored.
'When there is a positive match, appropriate action will be taken by officers on the ground to confirm ID and then assess what the next action is to be taken.'
