Live Facial Recognition (LFR) vans will be deployed in Chatham on Saturday 14 November 2026 as Kent Police continue targeted operations to track down wanted individuals and reduce crime in the town centre.
The upcoming deployment forms part of the force’s ongoing Clear, Hold, Build initiative aimed at disrupting criminal activity and deterring offenders across Medway.
During a two-day LFR operation in September, officers made 18 arrests using the real-time scanning technology, which matches faces against specific police watchlists.
The technology is used to identify suspects connected to criminal activity in Kent, including individuals wanted on court warrants, violent crimes, drug offences, burglary, robbery, sexual offences, domestic abuse, weapon possession, and recall to prison.
District Commander, Chief Inspector Gary Woodward, said: ‘Our previous use of LFR vans led to the arrest of some individuals who pose the greatest risk to our residents.