Current timestamp: 03/02/2023 14:36:42
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

South Wales Police_ website_ left-hand Corner_ flat White Crest

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Facial Recognition App pilot results

Main article content

Navigation

Featured

15:16 29/04/2022

Police officers in South Wales have been trialling the new Facial Recognition App and the results have been very positive. This is the first technology of its kind in the UK to identify wanted individuals almost instantly in real time through a mobile phone app.

It will enable officers to confirm the identity of a wanted suspect almost instantly. The Facial Recognition App has been trialled by 60 trained officers from South Wales Police during a recent 3-month trial and has proven extremely successful.

What did the Facial Recognition App pilot involve?

The pilot of the App demonstrated that officers were able to bring offenders to justice more quickly, establish identities of vulnerable people who required assistance from the police and other partner agencies, and locate missing people.

Inspector Andrew Hedley, Operational Lead for Facial Recognition Technology commented:

“We are reassured by the positive results from this initial trial. This App has proven how digital technology can help our officers to confirm the identity of a suspect or a vulnerable person more quickly and accurately, saving our officers’ valuable time.

The App pilot has also demonstrated its importance in safeguarding the vulnerable and identifying missing individuals, enabling them to focus on protecting our communities.
The results and feedback from the officers participating in the App pilot, will be used to conduct a further review of its functionality and effectiveness, and where there is potential to make improvements.”

Results of the Facial Recognition App pilot

The Facial Recognition App was used on 42 occasions on 35 persons. It was successfully used in a range of different situations helping officers to identify individuals effectively. Here are some examples:

Officers used the App to correctly identify a shoplifter who provided false contact details. Once the correct details were found, the suspect admitted to lying to officers and confirmed his correct details. The suspect was then arrested for theft and obstructing police.

A high risk, 15-year-old person had been reported missing and circulated by another police force. He had previous links to the South Wales area. This information resulted in officers speaking to a male who they believed matched the description of the missing person. When the individual refused to provide their details, the App was used to take photos that matched this missing person. He was safeguarded by officers.

Officers were called to reports of an intoxicated male in a street. He was unable to speak with officers and had no identification on him. Officers used the App, to correctly identify him and his address. He was taken to his home and left in the care of appropriate persons.

As a result of using the Facial Recognition App:

  • 11 arrests in total were made
  • 4 persons were reported for summons for offences
  • Safeguarding measures were used in 5 cases.

Facial Recognition Technology is used when it is necessary and proportionate to do so. It is another technological advancement to enable police officers to work more efficiently and effectively and keep individuals and communities safe.

More information about Facial Recognition Technology is available

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

South Wales Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • Careers
  • About us
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police

Language

  • Cymraeg

Follow us on

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.