Cheshire Constabulary to deploy Live Facial Recognition technology in Chester city centre

Cheshire Constabulary will be deploying Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in Chester city centre, on Saturday 25th July, as part of Operation Vigilant.

The deployment forms part of the Constabulary's ongoing work to protect women and girls, safeguard vulnerable people and prevent crime in areas experiencing high footfall, particularly within the night-time economy.

With Chester set to welcome increased numbers of visitors for Chester Races, officers will be using LFR technology to support policing activity, identify individuals wanted by police for serious offences and help prevent harm before it occurs.

Live Facial Recognition allows officers to receive an alert in real time if a person on a specific, pre-approved watchlist enters the area being scanned. Any potential match is reviewed by a trained officer before any action is taken.

The operation follows Cheshire Police's first Operation Vigilant LFR deployment earlier this month, which delivered several positive outcomes and supported broader safeguarding activity in the city centre.

Alongside the deployment, neighbourhood officers and partner agencies will be engaging with members of the public, local businesses and visitors to provide advice, reassurance and information about how the technology is used.

The use of LFR is governed by strict legal, ethical and operational safeguards. Only images of individuals included on a pre-approved watchlist are used by the system. Data relating to anyone who is not matched against that watchlist is automatically and immediately deleted.

The force will clearly signpost the use of the technology throughout the deployment area, with information also available online explaining how Live Facial Recognition works and the safeguards in place to protect privacy.

As well as the LFR deployment, a dispersal order will be in place from 10am on Friday 24 July until 10am on Sunday 26 July 2026. The dispersal order will allow officers to ban anyone from the area for up to 48 hours to prevent disorder. The area covered by the order is highlighted in the attached map. The map is provided to anyone issued with a direction to leave.

Detective Chief Inspector Robert Pritchard said: 

"Operation Vigilant is focused on protecting vulnerable people, preventing crime and identifying those who seek to prey on others, particularly within busy night-time economy settings.

"The deployment of Live Facial Recognition technology provides us with an additional capability to identify individuals who are wanted by police or who may pose a risk to the public, allowing officers to take positive action where necessary.

"Following the success of our first Operation Vigilant deployment, this latest operation will support our efforts to keep Chester safe during what we expect to be another busy weekend in the city."

Inspector James Wilson said: 

"This weekend will see thousands of people visiting Chester, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves safely.

"Alongside an increased police presence, officers will be using a range of tactics to keep people safe, including Live Facial Recognition technology and a dispersal order covering the city centre.

"These measures help us identify those who may pose a risk to others, tackle anti-social behaviour and take action to prevent harm before it occurs, particularly as part of our ongoing work under Operation Vigilant to protect women, girls and other vulnerable people."

Members of the public can find more information about Live Facial Recognition on the Constabulary’s website, including details on how the technology works and the safeguards that govern its use.

Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour in their area is urged to contact Cheshire Police via the Cheshire Police website or call 101.

Pictured - Chester Dispersal Map.