Facial Recognition.

Facial Recognition.

Dear Resident,

Greater Manchester Police Facial Recognition Deployment in Leigh

Greater Manchester Police now have two vehicles equipped with facial recognition cameras, which are being deployed across various locations in the Greater Manchester area.

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, these vehicles were deployed on Bradshawgate, Leigh.

Benefits of Facial Recognition on the High Street

The use of facial recognition technology in town centres offers several potential benefits:

Enhanced Public Safety: Facial recognition enables officers to identify suspects swiftly, supporting more efficient investigations and quicker resolutions to crime.

Crime Reduction: By identifying repeat offenders and potential threats, facial recognition can act as a deterrent and contribute to a safer environment for shoppers and residents.

Improved Community Relations: The technology allows officers to identify individuals without the need for physical confrontation, helping to reduce tensions and build trust with the public.

Support for Local Businesses: Facial recognition is already used by some high‑street retailers to help prevent shoplifting and improve security, benefiting local businesses.

Greater Transparency: Its use can support transparency in policing by encouraging open communication with the public and addressing concerns about how the technology is used.

Results from This Week’s Deployment

Wednesday 29 April: Four arrests were made as a direct result of the camera deployment.

Thursday 30 April: One arrest was made, and two persons of interest were identified, stopped, and spoken to by police officers.

Feedback from members of the public was overwhelmingly positive. Those spoken to during the deployment expressed support for the operation, and no negative comments were received. Several people commented, “If you’ve nothing to hide, you’ve nothing to worry about.”

If you see the facial recognition vehicles in Leigh in the future, please feel free to approach the officers present, who will be happy to explain how the equipment works.

For reassurance: the cameras do not permanently store footage. All data is automatically deleted within 24 hours unless it is required as part of an arrest or ongoing investigation.

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Message Sent By
Barrie James Jones
(Police, PCSO, L2 L1)