Police will be using Live Facial Recognition vans in Clacton this weekend to help identify people suspected of serious offences.
The technology will be deployed on Saturday, July 4, and will be used to locate people suspected of offences including drug-related crime, violence, sexual offences, and theft.
Police have made more than 170 arrests using live facial recognition technology to date, including in cases involving violent and sexual offences.
Officers say the cameras can identify individuals even if their faces are partially covered by masks or other coverings.
Members of the public who are not on the police watchlist will have their images discarded in a fraction of a second.
Essex Police said people are welcome to speak to officers in the town to learn more about how the technology works.