Live facial recognition survey

Hertfordshire Constabulary is about to conduct a trial of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology.  

LFR technology compares a human face captured by a camera against digital images uploaded to a secure ‘watchlist’. This process is fast, accurate, and designed to help identify individuals wanted for serious offences. It’s used alongside strict safeguards to ensure fairness, transparency and privacy. You can read more about how LFR works here.

The cameras are contained within a van which will be parked at a set location. Neighbourhood policing officers will be present to engage with anyone identified from the watchlist, as well as answer the public’s questions. A human decision is always made before an individual is approached by officers; the technology just recommends who should be approached and why.

To maintain operational integrity, Hertfordshire Constabulary will publish the location and date of any LFR deployment seven days in advance in line with national guidelines.

PCC Jonathan Ash-Edwards welcomes the decision to trial this technology as a means of catching more criminals, but understands that some in the community may have concerns. As Police & Crime Commissioner, it is his role is to scrutinise how the constabulary use the technology.

Mr Ash-Edwards therefore wants to know what you think as a resident of Hertfordshire, and has prepared a quick survey which will take a couple of minutes to complete.

Click here to take the survey: Herts PCC – Live Facial Recognition Survey

Find out more about Hertfordshire Constabulary’s trial and planned deployments.