Live Facial Recognition Deployments
The specific purpose for live facial recognition deployment is:
To support policing in the identification of persons wanted for priority offences, to support law enforcement including the administration of justice (through arrest of persons wanted on warrant or unlawfully at large/ recall to prison), and to ensure and promote the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons at risk.
The locations where Facial Recognition is deployed are clearly marked with signage.
If you have any questions about the use of Live Facial Recognition technology, take a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Recent deployments of live facial recognition
Click to see the results of all deployments for Live Facial Recognition.
Swansea, Neath, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd town centres
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology as a proactive deployment to support safer town centres in Swansea and Neath town centres on 19 March 2026, Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd town centres on 25 March 2026, in Bridgend on 25 March and McArthur Glen designer retail outlet near Bridgend on 26 April and 11 June 2026.
Swansea and Cardiff city centres 25, 27 February and 4 March 2026
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology as a proactive deployment to support safer town centres in Swansea and Cardiff city centres respectively on 25, 27 February and 4 March 2026.
Cardiff city centre 21 February 2026
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Wales v Scotland six nations rugby game at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 21 February 2026.
Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Swansea centres
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology as a proactive deployment to support safer town centres and neighbourhood policing in Swansea, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil centres on 26, 27 & 28 November.
- 19 November in Cardiff city centre
- 26 November in Swansea city centre
- 27 and 28 November in Bridgend town centre
- 5, 10, 18, 20 December in Swansea city centre
- 15 December in Cardiff city centre
- 16 December in Bridgend town centre
- 19 December in Pontypridd town centre
- 9 January in Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend town centre
- 30 January and 13 February 2026 in Swansea city centre
Cardiff city centre 15 November 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Wales v Japan international rugby game at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 15 November 2025.
Cardiff city centre 13 November 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support National Business Crime Coordination week of action.
Cardiff city centre 9 November 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Wales v Argentina international rugby game at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 9 November 2025.
Cardiff, Swansea and Bridgend centres
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology as a proactive deployment to support safer town centres and neighbourhood policing:
- 7, 15, 29 August and 25 September in Swansea city centre
- 8, 27 August and 5 September in Bridgend town centre
- 21 August in Cardiff city centre
Cardiff city centre on 19 July 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Kendrick Lamar music concert at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 19 July 2025.
Wales Airshow on 5-6 July 2025
South Wales Police's deployment for Live Facial Recognition was at the Wales Airshow, Swansea on 5 and 6 July 2025.
Cardiff city centre 4-5 July 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Oasis music concert at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 4 and 5 July 2025.
Cardiff city centre 23 June 2025
South Wales Police will be deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Lana del Ray music concert at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre 23 June 2025.
Cardiff city centre 19 June 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology in designated areas to support the policing of the Chris Brown music concert at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre 19 June 2025.
Cardiff city centre 15 March 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition technology to support the policing of the Wales v England international rugby game at the Principality Stadium, in Cardiff city centre on 15 March 2025.
Bridgend town centre 9 February 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition in Bridgend town centre on 9 February 2025 as a proactive deployment.
Swansea city centre 18 January 2025
South Wales Police deployed live facial recognition in Swansea city centre on Saturday 18 January 2025, as part of a proactive deployment to locate suspects, wanted persons and high-risk missing persons.