POLICE will use Live Facial Recognition technology in Wrexham this weekend ahead of the cross-border derby.

North Wales Police have confirmed that the facial recognition technology will be used in the city on Saturday (September 7) as Wrexham host Shrewsbury Town.

This proactive deployment will form part of matchday policing arrangements for the League One fixture between the two clubs.

The specific purpose for LFR 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 promote safeguarding of vulnerable persons.

Police say locations where the recognition technology is deployed will be clearly marked with signage.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “LFR technology enables police forces to identify suspects, persons wanted on warrant and missing persons.

“The use of this technology by North Wales Police is designed to be responsible, proportionate, and fair.  It aims to keep the public safe by identifying serious offenders and protecting the vulnerable.

"The LFR software provides an efficient and effective way of picking known offenders out of a crowd.

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“We're very keen for these people to be caught but we're also keen for innocent people to go about their day-to-day business and have a good time at a football match they've paid good money to attend.

“The law-abiding public should be reassured that the system is specifically looking for wanted people and does not record or store the faces of anyone that it is not specifically seeking out.

“I would also like to emphasise that proportionality and compliance with legislation and guidelines were key considerations in deploying LFR technology at this event in Wrexham.”

More information about the technology can be found on North Wales Police's website.