Live facial recognition cameras have helped West Yorkshire Police detect 82 people wanted on suspicion of offences, including those linked to serious domestic violence and retail crime.

The technology has been in use across West Yorkshire since November 2025, with cameras deployed in Wakefield this week as part of the force’s continued rollout of live facial recognition (LFR).

In the 10 months since its introduction, LFR has also helped officers locate missing and vulnerable people and identify 95 individuals subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

The cameras work by comparing live images with a police watchlist of people wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or considered a risk to the public.

Specialist officers have been operating two of the camera vans in Wakefield City Centre in the two-day deployment which has been supported by officers from the Wakefield City Neighbourhood Policing Team.

placeholder image — Specialist officers have been operating two of the camera vans in Wakefield City Centre in the two-day deployment which has been supported by officers from the Wakefield City Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Any potential matches are reviewed by trained officers before any action is taken.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bainbridge, District Commander of Wakefield Police, said the latest deployment had helped officers “in keeping communities safe”.

He said: “Live Facial Recognition is an incredibly useful tool and this latest deployment in Wakefield has assisted our officers in keeping communities safe.

“The cameras are there to pick out persons already logged on police systems as wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or as posing a risk to the public.

“Images of ordinary members of the public who walk by them are deleted almost instantly.

“The technology itself is tried and tested, and the number of wanted criminals it has now helped catch really demonstrates its effectiveness.”

The use of LFR has raised concerns among some Wakefield residents over privacy and the potential for mass surveillance.

Coun John Thomas, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council, said he had shared those concerns but had been reassured by discussions with police.

He said: “Like many residents I’ve had concerns about the use of Live Facial Recognition in Wakefield.

"People should never be subject to routine profiling or to unnecessary retention of personal information. “After speaking directly with the police, it’s clear this is not a system of mass surveillance. The technology is used only to identify individuals already on police watchlists. Images of other members of the public not retained.

“With appropriate safeguards in place, Live Facial Recognition is a valuable tool to help West Yorkshire Police keep communities safe whilst not impinging on our civil liberties.”