Two people were arrested in Southend city centre after being identified by live facial recognition cameras used by Essex Police.
The arrests happened on Saturday 3 May during a proactive deployment of the technology by Southend’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by the force’s Operational Policing Command.
The cameras, which are connected to real-time facial recognition software, identified and flagged two individuals who were on a police watchlist.
The system works by scanning the faces of people in the area and matching them against a pre-loaded database of individuals who are either wanted, missing, or of interest to the police. Any data from people not on the list is deleted instantly and not stored.
One of those arrested was a 40-year-old man from Rochford, who was suspected of shoplifting. He was released on bail until 5 June while investigations continue.
The second arrest involved 41-year-old Gemma Hill, who has no fixed address. She was wanted by police and has now been charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. She appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 6 May and has been remanded in custody.
Chief Inspector Jennifer Bliss, from Essex Police’s Operational Policing Command, praised the use of the technology, saying:
“Cutting edge technology is playing an important role in protecting people, responding to and investigating crimes, and getting justice for victims.
“Criminals cannot think they can walk around our communities without being caught, and these arrests show our regular LFR deployments are working to catch those wanted for offences.
“We’re looking for specific people wanted for serious offences and to enforce orders. When there is a positive match, appropriate action is taken by officers on the ground to confirm ID and assess what the next steps should be.
“We work hard to find the most effective ways of keeping people safe in Essex, so if you want to learn more about these cameras when you see them, speak to our officers and they’ll be happy to show you how they work.”
Live facial recognition is one of the tools Essex Police are increasingly using to tackle crime in busy public areas such as seafront areas and high streets. The force says the deployments are carefully planned and legally regulated, with safeguards in place to ensure privacy and transparency.
How facial recognition is being used across the UK
Live facial recognition is becoming a more common tool for police forces across the UK, particularly in busy urban areas where there’s a higher likelihood of encountering wanted individuals. The Metropolitan Police in London have been using it in areas such as Oxford Circus, Stratford and Leicester Square to identify suspects connected to serious crimes. South Wales Police were among the first to trial the system and have continued using it at large-scale public events, such as concerts and sporting fixtures.
In all cases, deployments are planned in line with national guidance and are subject to oversight to ensure they comply with privacy laws and human rights legislation.
Essex Police’s approach to live facial recognition in Southend and beyond
In Essex, facial recognition has been used in Southend city centre, particularly in areas with a high volume of foot traffic, such as the high street and seafront. The technology is part of a broader plan by Essex Police to tackle crime through smarter policing techniques.
Deployments are always signposted so that members of the public are aware when the cameras are in use. Officers are also available on-site to answer questions and explain how the system works, which the force says helps improve transparency and public understanding.
Essex Police say that rather than mass surveillance, the goal is to locate specific individuals already known to police, such as high-risk missing persons or those wanted in connection with violent or drug-related offences.
While the technology has attracted scrutiny from some civil liberties groups, police forces say the results so far show that when used responsibly, it can play a valuable role in modern policing.