Still time to take the survey on Live Facial Recognition
As many of you will be aware, I am currently inviting Dorset residents to take part in an important survey regarding the rollout of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in the county.
As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I believe it is essential that any decision involving new policing tools is informed by the views of the public we serve. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, concerns, and expectations about how this technology may be used in our communities.
Today, I want to give some more details about how Live Facial Recognition will be used in Dorset and provide some further information which I hope will answer any questions you may have. You can also visit Dorset Police’s webpage for more Live Facial Recognition | Dorset Police
What is Live Facial Recognition?
Live Facial Recognition is a technology that uses cameras to capture images of faces in real time, with these images then compared against a pre-determined database or watchlist of individuals who may be wanted by police or pose a risk to public safety. If a potential match is identified, officers then take appropriate action.
The LFR watchlist
This is very important, as I know there is a great deal of misinformation out there about how this technology is used. I want to be clear: Unless you are on the watchlist you cannot be matched. The predetermined watchlist which is created for each deployment, contains details of people who are wanted for crimes, subject to court orders or pose a risk to the public. When the technology finds a possible match, an alert is generated for officers to review and decide if stopping the individual is the correct course of action.
How does it handle your data?
A key concern for many people is privacy. It is important to be clear that images of individuals who do not match anyone on the watchlist are automatically and immediately deleted.
If there is an incorrect alert, the information and image will be deleted straight away.
Matches
If a match is made by the technology, it will always be checked by an officer before any action is taken.
Transparency and accountability
Clear, accessible policies governing the use of Live Facial Recognition will be published so that the public can understand when, where, and how it may be deployed. In addition, Dorset Police will provide regular public reporting on its use, including outcomes, effectiveness, and any relevant oversight.
Your right to privacy
The use of live facial recognition technology by Dorset Police aims to keep the public safe, identify wanted offenders and protect the vulnerable. Dorset Police use transparency that demonstrates effectiveness, proportionality and compliance with legislation and guidelines when deploying live facial recognition technology.
Why your input matters
The use of LFR has the potential to support policing by helping locate wanted individuals, protect vulnerable people, and enhance public safety. However, it must be balanced with strong safeguards, transparency, and public trust.
Your feedback as part of this survey is important, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and ensure your voice is heard. Take the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFRsurvey
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner