A live facial recognition van is being deployed to an Oxfordshire town to help identify suspects and deter crime.
Thames Valley Police will use the technology in Bicester next Friday (November 13), with LFR (Live Facial Recognition) vans stationed on Sheep Street.
The vans will be operated by a specialist team working alongside local officers.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We make sure to let you know before our LFR vans are in use, so everyone stays informed about what’s happening.
"While this can mean some individuals choose to avoid us, the vans can help deter crime and keep the area safer."
Facial recognition technology works by comparing digital images of faces against a database of known individuals.
Thames Valley Police use the system to detect and prevent crime and protect the public.
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The force employs two types of facial recognition.
Live Facial Recognition (LFR) compares real-time camera feeds against a predetermined watch list, while Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR) is used after incidents to match still images from sources like CCTV with the Police National Database.
The force says it is mindful of the ethical, legal, and privacy considerations involved in using facial recognition technology.
Members of the public are encouraged to approach the team on the day to find out more.
The spokesman said: "If you have any questions or would like to see how the technology works, feel free to come over and chat with our team.
"We’re always happy to show you around and explain how LFR is used fairly and responsibly."
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