Live facial recognition cameras deployed in Newquay for first time

Live facial recognition technology is being used by Devon and Cornwall Police for the first time in Newquay.

A marked police van will operate in the town centre between 6 and 8 August as part of the policing operation surrounding Boardmasters.

The technology compares faces captured by a live camera with a predetermined watchlist. This can include people wanted in connection with criminal investigations, subject to court orders or considered to pose a risk to the public.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the biometric data of anyone who does not generate an alert is automatically deleted and not retained.

If the system identifies a possible match, an officer must review it and decide whether to speak to the person.

Chief Inspector Peter Shabytah, said it is a traditional policing concept that uses technology to "turbo charge" matching faces to people who are known to Police.

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Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the force understood that people might have concerns about the technology.

He said deployments would be clearly signposted and uniformed officers would always check possible matches before approaching anyone.

The force said future deployments would be published on its website with at least seven days’ notice.

Newquay Mayor Drew Creek has welcomed the introduction of the technology.

He said fellow town councillors had raised concerns, but that he had been reassured following discussions with Newquay Police Inspector Steve Johnson.

“I am assured by those conversations that it is there for the right reasons and will support the teams on the ground,” he said.

“We need to remember that Newquay has a population of 25,000. During Boardmasters week, we’ll see more than 100,000 people a day in the town - four times our normal population.

“We don’t get four times the number of police for that period, so I’m in favour of anything that can be used as a tool to support Inspector Johnson and his team, who do a wonderful job here in Newquay.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said police should use every available tool to find wanted people, adding that the technology had already been used by other forces.