Live Facial Recognition in Medway

Kent Police is continuing its campaign to reduce crime in Chatham through the relentless pursuit of persistent and prolific offenders.

In the rolling year to the end of May, there were positive reductions in crime within the Chatham Central and Brompton Ward when compared to the preceding two years. Specifically, there were 1,004 fewer victim-based offences, 478 fewer violence against the person offences, 42 fewer sexual offences and 142 fewer shoplifting offences.

The expansion of the multi-agency ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ initiative into the town centre at the end of May, has seen criminals targeted and deterred from visiting the area through regular high-visibility police and partner activity.

Live Facial Recognition

To support this ongoing work to protect Medway residents from harm, Kent Police will be deploying Live Facial Recognition (LFR) cameras in the town on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2026.

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

• Those who are wanted for arrest for violence 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

Protecting the vulnerable

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

Ch Insp Gary Woodward said:

‘The crime reductions in Chatham and Brompton are positive but we are not complacent and are determined to maintain this momentum by purposefully tracking down those who pose the greatest risk to our residents, businesses and visitors. Using Live Facial Recognition is just one way of supporting this ongoing fight against offenders.’

Appropriate action

When LFR cameras are deployed and there is a positive match, appropriate action will be taken by uniformed officers who will be working on the ground.

Ch Insp Woodward continued:

‘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 here.