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Police are using hand-held facial recognition cameras on the streets for the first time.
A pilot scheme in South Wales and Gwent will allow suspects to be identified on the spot – even if they refuse to co-operate.
The technology, initially to be deployed by 70 frontline officers, uses an 'artificial intelligence' mobile phone app.
Photos taken by officers will be cross-referenced almost instantly with images of more than 600,000 people on police databases.
Although the project will provide police with a powerful tool, the scheme has also reignited concerns about 'Big Brother' surveillance.
Police are using hand-held facial recognition cameras on the streets for the first time. A pilot scheme in South Wales and Gwent will allow suspects to be identified on the spot – even if they refuse to co-operate. The technology, initially to be deployed by 70 frontline officers, uses an 'artificial intelligence' mobile phone app. (File image)
South Wales Police have previously been found to have used automatic facial recognition unlawfully.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis said: 'This new app means that with the taking of a single photograph which is then
