Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is piloting the use of live facial recognition technology for the first time to help officers remove offenders from our communities.

As part of an ongoing operation to target outstanding suspects for high risk and priority offences, individuals wanted on warrants and those evading court proceedings, the vans will be used at locations in Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke and Winchester over three days alongside traditional policing tactics.

The technology will also be used to assist with our searches for high risk missing people.

The areas where it is being used will be clearly marked with signage and officers will be on hand to speak to members of the public and answer any questions. The technology for the operation is being provided by South Wales Police as part of a mutual aid arrangement.