Merseyside Police scan 55,388 faces during two-day operation
Six arrests were made during Merseyside Police's most successful Live Facial Recognition (LFR)deployment to date in Liverpool city centre this week.
LFR vans were deployed on Church Street, Liverpool, on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November as part of Safer Business Action (SaBA) Week 2026.
The deployments formed part of a wider programme of activity across the city centre, complementing high-visibility patrols, targeted enforcement operations and partnership work with businesses and local agencies to tackle retail crime, antisocial behaviour and other offences that impact businesses, employees, shoppers and local communities.
Over the two days, 55,388 faces were scanned, generating 35 positive alerts and leading to six arrests.
No false alerts were recorded and no biometric data or images of faces scanned were retained by Merseyside Police.
The arrests and charges included:
A 27-year-old man from Kirkdale was arrested on suspicion of burglary dwelling and theft of a motor vehicle. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
A 51-year-old man from Anfield was arrested for breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after being found in possession of cannabis. He has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
A 21-year-old woman from Edge Hill, Liverpool and a 22-year-old woman from Old Swan, Liverpool were arrested on suspicion of Section 47 assault and criminal damage after failing to appear. They have both been conditionally bailed pending further enquiries.
Noel Hughes, 49, of Esher Road, Kensington, was charged with breaching a warrant issued in connection with Section 47 assault and theft in a dwelling. Hughes is due to appear in South Sefton Magistrates Court today, Thursday 12 November.
Carl Martin Walker, 53, of Sybil Road, Anfield, was charged with breaching a warrant issued in connection with animal welfare offences. Walker appeared at Wirral Adult Remand Court on Wednesday 11 November.
In addition, a mobile phone was seized from a registered sex offender following a suspected breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and enquiries are ongoing.
The remaining 28 alerts related to Registered Sex Offenders. Working alongside the Sexual Offender Management Unit (SOMU), officers carried out checks on each individual and found them all to be complying with their court-imposed conditions.
Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton, Head of Matrix and Force Operations said: "We have now deployed Live Facial Recognition eight times across Merseyside since its introduction almost a year ago, and the results continue to demonstrate the value of the technology in supporting frontline policing.
"The outcomes from this two-day operation in Liverpool city centre show how LFR can help officers quickly identify wanted offenders and remove those suspected of serious offending from our streets. While in the area, officers also made two further arrests for domestic violence and drugs possession during their proactive policing activity.
"The technology is also helping us take a more proactive, intelligence-led and robust approach to managing registered sex offenders. During this deployment there were 28 alerts relating to registered sex offenders, enabling officers to quickly assess risk, ensure compliance with offender management requirements and take action where necessary, helping us safeguard communities and keep the public safe.
"Just as importantly, officers were on hand throughout the deployment to engage with the public, answer questions and explain how the technology works.
"Local businesses, partners and members of the public welcomed the deployment, with retailers reporting a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area and highlighting the reassurance provided by the increased police presence.”
Shaun Holland, Director of Operations at Liverpool Business Improvement District: "Liverpool Business Improvement District was pleased to see the Live Facial Recognition vans from Merseyside Police’s operation for Safer Business Action Week (SABA) in Church Street this week.
“We're pleased to report a noticeable reduction in ASB and crime in the area, with positive feedback from our Levy Payers. The cameras reassure the public and businesses in the city centre that those wanted, banned or of interest will be stopped and dealt with appropriately. Further activity will be taking place throughout the week with Liverpool BID and Merseyside Police working in partnership for SABA."
LFR works by comparing faces captured on a live camera feed against a secure, predetermined watchlist made up of individuals wanted for serious offences, subject to court orders, or who pose a risk to the public or to themselves. If the system suggests a possible match, a police officer will always review it and decide whether to speak to that person – this decision is made by an officer, not the technology.
If you are not on a watchlist, your biometric data is never stored when you pass through the LFR zone of recognition. It is immediately and automatically deleted, ensuring privacy is protected. Watchlist images are deleted within 24 hours of each deployment, and any CCTV footage is deleted within 31 days, in line with standard public camera systems.
Further information about how the technology works and how we use it can be found at: Live Facial Recognition | Merseyside Police
Future deployments will be listed on our website.
