Live facial recognition will be expanded across the country as part of a Government overhaul of neighbourhood policing.
The technology will be deployed to catch ‘high-harm’ offenders with new rules to support its use and ensure ‘safeguards and oversight’, the Home Office said.
Ten vans equipped with cameras will be deployed over the coming months across seven police forces – Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Bedfordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and Hampshire.
Existing rules require checks to be done only against watchlists of wanted criminals, suspects and those subject to bail or court order conditions.
However, a Government consultation will begin in the autumn to help ‘shape a new legal framework’ on its use.
Privacy campaigners have previously voiced concerns but Chief Superintendent Tim Morgan, from South Wales Police which is coordinating the rollout, insisted the technology would be used ‘ethically’.