Police in Liverpool employed live facial recognition technology during the football match between Everton and Manchester United.
Merseyside Police announced [1] that they would implement measures around Hill Dickinson Stadium, including visible patrols and plain-clothes officers, in anticipation of the upcoming Premier League match. The police intend to identify individuals sought for serious offenses or under court orders, claiming that the aim is to ensure safety for fans and the general public. Chief Inspector Chris Barnes said, “LFR helps us to locate high‑harm offenders swiftly and effectively. These high‑tech tools allow us to prevent crime and protect the public, ensuring that law‑abiding supporters aren’t disrupted and can simply focus on enjoying the game. We will continue to consider the use of LFR at future events, ensuring our approach remains both effective and proportionate.”
Chris Barnes also said, “Like any football fixture, a comprehensive and proportionate policing plan is in place for Monday’s game. It will be a busy operation, and we hope that fans attending will act as ambassadors for their clubs. As with any large event, our priority is the safety of those attending. We hope everyone has a fantastic time and enjoys the game responsibly while supporting their club.” The Merseyside Police says [2] LFR cameras focus on specific areas and transmit images to live facial recognition systems. These images are then compared to those on a watch list. If a potential match is identified, an alert is triggered.
The force explained that License Plate Recognition technology will be utilized, which compares faces captured on live camera feeds against a secure watch list of those wanted for serious crimes, subject to court orders, or who may pose a risk to others or themselves. In a Q&A asked if individuals can opt-out of Live Facial Recognition surveillance the Merseyside Police said, “Individuals are not required to pass through an LFR zone; doing so is entirely voluntary. However, inclusion on a watch list is not optional, it is a policing decision which is supported by appropriate justification. If you wish to physically avoid a deployment this is not grounds on its own for us to have any interaction with you. We will publish the dates and locations of a deployment in advance, except in very exceptional circumstances.”
Dave Lewis who is [3] the Head of Security and Stadium Safety Officer at Everton FC said, “Our priority for every fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium is to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for supporters, staff and the local community. We work in close partnership with Merseyside Police and other agencies to ensure proportionate and intelligence-led measures are in place for high-profile matches. The vast majority of fans attend to support the team responsibly, and any tools used by the police are focused on identifying individuals who may pose a risk to others. Through continued engagement with supporter groups and our safety partners, we remain committed to protecting the matchday experience for everyone.”
Civil liberties organization Big Brother Watch has advocated for the implementation of stricter regulations regarding its usage. Matthew Feeney [4] the Advocacy Manager at Big Brother Watch said [5] in a press release, “Without infringing on the rights of everyone who wants to attend, police should not be using the technology until, at the very bare minimum, we have some kind of legal framework that governs, who can be on the watch list, how it is used, what kind of places and occasions that can be used in.” In a 2020 briefing, Big Brother Watch were [6] seeking to inform parliamentarians of the significant risks live facial recognition surveillance poses to human rights and the rule of law in the UK. “The use of live facial recognition surveillance by police in England and Wales represents an enormous expansion of the surveillance state and one of the most serious threats to civil liberties of recent years. This China-style mass surveillance tool risks turning CCTV cameras into biometric checkpoints and citizens into walking ID cards,” said Big Brother Watch.
In 2016, Celtic fans organized a protest against the proposed [7] implementation of facial recognition technology at football matches prior to their team's matchup with St. Johnstone. The Union Bears, a supporters group of the Rangers, [8] displayed banners on the steps of Hampden, shortly after SPFL Board member Mike Mulraney revealed plans for spy cameras. “We wish to express our deep concern. Facial recognition works on the presumption that football fans are criminals, which could not be further from the truth, and the rumoured £4m cost could definitely be spent better elsewhere. In the current climate of high ticket pricing, over-zealous policing and poor overall fan experience, this is the last thing Scottish football needs.”