Kingston Police is deploying live facial recognition (LFR) technology across the borough's crime hotspots today (Friday, 6 March).

LFR cameras are focused on a specific area; when people pass through that area their images are streamed directly to the Live Facial Recognition system and compared to a watchlist.

In pursuance of its policing objectives, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) may, for various reasons, need to locate individuals. Such individuals are referred to in the Met's LFR policy as "Sought Persons".

LFR is a policing tool which harnesses digital technology, and particularly LFR technology, in order to assist the MPS in locating Sought Persons.

In certain circumstances, the use of LFR may also serve to achieve the MPS's policing objectives by helping to deter or disrupt criminality or other conduct posing a risk to public safety.