Facial recognition tech helps South Wales Police solve over 130 crimes in 2023
They've revealed how retrospective action has led to a number of convictions this year alone through the help of the technology
Last updated 29th Jun 2024
South Wales Police have revealed fresh stats over their use of live facial recognition technology across their policing area.
Since the start of 2023, a total of 131 crimes have been solved through the use of the tech, with the force revealing these are for a myriad of offences, ranging from sexual assaults and robbery to burglary and shoplifting.
The force deploy the tech in live environments - such as when Beyoncé came to Cardiff - and also use it retrospectively, which means it's used to help identify suspects caught on CCTV, doorbell cameras - or even through victim-supplied photos.
Retrospectively, officers upload relevant images onto a system which is then used to see whether these match with somebody who is already on the South Wales Police database.
In a post on their social media, the force have revealed how it works.
They said: "When images such as CCTV or phone footage are put through the system, the technology re-orders the reference image database from the most likely to the least likely possible match.
"An operator will typically review the top 200 or so possible matches to decide whether a match has been made.
"If the operator determines a match has been made, they will inform the investigating officer, who in turn will review the match and add the person to the investigation as a suspect.
"It all helps us to get a positive resolution to dozens of offences linked to otherwise-unknown suspects seen in video footage or still images."
Earlier this year, South Wales Police's Chief Constable, Jeremy Vaughan, reaffirmed the force's commitment to use facial recognition technology, following a review, which came about after a Court of Appeal judgment which concerns about its use.
You can find out more about South Wales Police's commitment to the technology on their website.
Facial recognition technology is also used in live settings, which, like for the Beyoncé concert, isn't a condition of entry - but when required, helps the force take enforcement action when needed.
Back in June 2022, South Wales Police said: "Live Facial Recognition Technology has been deployed on over 70 occasions to include deployment at major events, pop concerts and crime operations.
"This has culminated in 75 persons being identified and arrested for offences including rape and other serious offences."
You can find out more about how facial recognition technology works here.
Read more: Facial recognition to be used in Cardiff for Beyoncé concert