West Yorkshire Police to deploy facial recognition at Leeds Festival

West Yorkshire Police will deploy Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology on the external perimeter of the Leeds Festival for the first time this year. The initiative is part of a broader safety operation at Bramham Park intended to prevent crime, safeguard the public, and create a secure environment for attendees.

The LFR system works by comparing live camera images against a watchlist of individuals who are wanted by police or deemed a risk to the public. Chief Inspector Dan Tillett stated that the technology will be used in a targeted and proportionate manner, with all system alerts being reviewed by specially trained officers before any action is taken. The police aim to use the capability to quickly identify individuals who might use the event to cause harm.