Live Facial Recognition in Chatham

Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans will be operating in Chatham on Saturday 14 November 2026, as part of Kent Police’s continuing efforts to protect the public from harm.

Officers made 18 arrests while using LFR over two days in September, and this second deployment will continue to support the 'Clear, Hold, Build' campaign intended to reduce crime and deter offenders in the town centre.

The technology will be used to identify suspects connected to criminal activity in Kent. This includes:

• Those who are wanted for arrest for violent offences, court warrants, drug offences, burglary, robbery and theft, sexual offences, criminal damage, domestic abuse, possession of weapons, and recall to prison;
• Those who are suspected of possession of knives or other weapons;
• Those who are subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders.

It can also be used to spot selected missing people where there are considerable concerns for their welfare.

District Commander, Chief Inspector Gary Woodward, said:

'Our previous use of LFR vans led to the arrest of some individuals who pose the greatest risk to our residents. We have an obligation to make the public aware of a deployment before it takes place which is why we're letting you know a week in advance.
'We take your privacy very seriously and members of the public who are not one of those on the specific list of people we are seeking, will not be matched if they walk past one of the cameras. Their image will be immediately and automatically deleted.’

For more information about LFR technology, please visit our website.