Officers arrest wanted offender during Live Facial Recognition deployment in Stockport Town Centre

Officers arrest wanted offender during Live Facial Recognition deployment in Stockport Town Centre

Greater Manchester Police officers made an arrest for a wanted offender and conducted safeguarding checks on a registered sex offender during a successful Live Facial Recognition (LFR) deployment in Stockport Town Centre on Wednesday 7 October.

Throughout the operation, officers scanned 11,244 faces, generating just two alerts, demonstrating the targeted and proportionate nature of the technology.

One alert led to the arrest of a man wanted in connection with an outstanding criminal investigation. A second alert identified a registered sex offender, who was stopped by officers and subjected to checks against the conditions of their Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Officers found the individual to be fully compliant and no further action was required.

The operation also provided an opportunity for officers to engage positively with members of the public, explaining how the technology is used and answering questions from residents, businesses and visitors to the town centre.

In addition to the LFR outcomes, officers working in the vicinity of the deployment identified and arrested two further wanted offenders for unrelated matters, demonstrating the wider policing benefits of having resources deployed in the area.

Neighbourhood Inspector Jason Holmwood said:

"This deployment demonstrates how Live Facial Recognition can help us locate wanted offenders efficiently while providing reassurance to our communities.

"We also had some really positive conversations with members of the public throughout the day, helping people understand how the technology works and the safeguards in place around its use.

"Alongside the LFR results, officers in the area arrested two other wanted offenders, showing the value of proactive policing activity in our town centre."