Two new Live Facial Recognition vans purchased to help police fight crime across Hertfordshire
Two new Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans have been purchased to help Hertfordshire Constabulary’s fight against crime in the county.
LFR technology, a policing tool which compares facial images captured by a live camera feed against a pre-authorised watchlist of individuals wanted by police, has been deployed across Hertfordshire since it was first trialled in Cheshunt in December 2025.
The technology, which helps police locate wanted suspects, prevent and detect crime and safeguard vulnerable people is typically deployed in busy public places and at events where there is intelligence or operational need to support its use.
The purchase of the latest LFR vehicles and associated technology has been supported by funding from Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nev Hanks said: “Having two dedicated LFR vans gives Hertfordshire Constabulary greater flexibility to use the technology across the county, supporting our efforts to identify wanted individuals, prevent crime and protect the public.
“While LFR is still being rolled out across Hertfordshire, its use is governed by rigorous safeguards and senior officer authorisation.
“Watchlists are strictly limited to people wanted by police, ensuring the technology remains focused on helping officers locate those individuals rather than monitoring law-abiding members of the public.
“This enhanced capability will help us use the technology where it can have the greatest operational impact, supporting investigations and keeping communities safe.
“We are committed to using LFR in a transparent and responsible way, with clear safeguards in place to protect privacy and maintain public confidence.
“We have also received positive feedback from residents and businesses who believe the technology helps deter crime and contributes to a greater sense of safety within our communities.
“Policing in Hertfordshire is founded on consent, and this public support gives us confidence as we continue to develop our use of LFR where it is lawful, necessary and proportionate to do so.”
Public feedback from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner following a deployment in Broxbourne in late 2025 demonstrated strong support for the technology.
Of the 3,787 responses, 82 per cent of people said that police use of LFR is always or usually acceptable, while 91 per cent believed it would help catch more criminals and 93 per cent said its presence would not deter them from visiting a town centre.
Police and Crime Commissioner Ash-Edwards added: “The acquisition of LFR vans for Hertfordshire is an important step in the police’s use of effective technology to catch criminals and keep communities safe, following successful pilots earlier in the year.
“I was pleased to provide funding for these vans to strengthen the constabulary’s ability to locate wanted offenders, protect vulnerable people and prevent crime.
“LFR technology was clearly backed by the public in my survey last year with 82 per cent of residents saying it was an acceptable tool for the police to use.
“It operates within strict legal and ethical standards and will make a positive difference to keeping our public spaces safe and catching criminals in Hertfordshire.”