Live Facial Recognition used in Chester as part of Operation Vigilant

Cheshire Police has successfully completed its third Live Facial Recognition (LFR) deployment as part of Operation Vigilant.

The operation took place in Chester city centre on Saturday 12th September and was supported by Chester officers, the Sexual Offender Management Unit (SOMU) and Project Servator officers, alongside the LFR team.

The technology was deployed when the city centre was extremely busy with visitors attending Chester Racecourse, and during the operation more than 7,300 racegoers, residents, and those enjoying the nighttime economy passed through the LFR deployment area.

LFR allows officers to be alerted in real time if a person on a specific, pre-approved watchlist passes through the area being scanned, allowing them to take appropriate action where necessary.

Strict privacy, data protection, and human rights safeguards are in place for every LFR deployment. Only images of individuals on a pre-approved watchlist are used by the system, and any biometric data of passers-by who do not match a person on that list is automatically and immediately deleted. Officers reviewing any potential matches must also confirm the identity before any action is taken.

Operation Vigilant also included various police activities in the run-up to the LFR deployment, to help provide a reassuring policing presence in the city centre.

This included a drug dog deployment at Chester Train Station which resulted in two positive searches. A dispersal order was also in place across the weekend to prevent disorder. As a result, two people were issued with dispersals and ordered to leave the area.

Project Servator officers arrested two people as part of their recent deployments in Chester, as part of the wider Operation Vigilant.

A 45-year-old man was arrested as he was wanted in relation to racially aggravated public order offences. A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of intent to supply class C drugs. He was originally stopped by officers due to him riding an illegal e-scooter, which was subsequently seized. Both have since been bailed.

Detective Chief Inspector Robert Pritchard said:

"Live Facial Recognition is a great tool that utilises modern technology to help us protect the public.

“When it is used alongside neighbourhood policing and proactive patrols, it supports our ability to identify wanted people and ensure we can take action quickly and efficiently.

“The operation ran smoothly and received positive engagement from the public, with many members of the community showing interest in the technology and taking the opportunity to speak with officers and operators.

“We remain committed to using Live Facial Recognition responsibly and transparently. It demonstrates the continued value of innovative policing tactics in supporting public safety, preventing disorder, and enhancing community confidence.”

Inspector James Wilson said:

“The wider policing activity as part of Operation Vigilant in the run-up to the LFR deployment showcases the work which is carried out every day to help keep people safe in Chester and provide a reassuring policing presence for those who live, work and visit here.

“The arrests made during the Project Servator deployment demonstrate the effectiveness of this policing tactic. Project Servator utilises officers who are specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be planning or preparing to commit an act of crime, and aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity.

“Chester is proud to deploy officers as part of this national tactic throughout the year and the results from the operation show the value of this."

You can read more about Project Servator here: 

Project Servator | Cheshire Constabulary