Sussex Police have reached a significant milestone by making their first-ever arrest using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in the county. On December 2, officers detained a 42-year-old man in Brighton city centre after LFR identified him from a watchlist of serious offenders.
The suspect was stopped on Western Road. He is wanted in connection with drug supply, organised crime, money laundering, and fraud by false representation. Although arrested, the man was later released on bail as investigations continue.
Live Facial Recognition technology works by scanning live camera feeds and matching faces against a database of wanted criminals linked to serious offences such as drugs, sexual crimes, and domestic abuse. Police action is only triggered when a suspect is flagged. To protect privacy, images of innocent individuals are blurred and deleted immediately, while images of suspects are erased within 24 hours after each operation.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne praised the technology as a major advancement in catching dangerous criminals and sexual predators. She emphasized the importance of ethical use and transparency, stating, “Its use must remain proportionate, ethical and transparent. We will keep close oversight to address public concerns about privacy and bias.”
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on serious crime. Sussex Police, in partnership with Surrey Police, currently operate two Home Office-funded LFR vans in hotspot areas such as Redhill and Crawley. Every facial recognition match must be verified before officers take action, with operations authorised by senior officials and clearly signposted to the public.
This landmark arrest highlights Sussex Police’s commitment to combating organised crime using innovative technology while balancing public safety with civil liberties, reflecting a growing UK-wide trend.
Originally published by UKNIP.
