Live facial recognition to be deployed at next Everton fixture by Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police will deploy Live Facial Recognition (LFR) at this Monday’s Premier League Fixture.

LFR will be in place on approaches to Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Everton will host Manchester United. 

The deployment is intended to help identify people wanted for serious offences and engage with individuals subject to court orders.

LFR will be used alongside a range of policing tactics, including highly visible patrols and more discreet measures such as plain-clothes officers, to ensure everyone can enjoy the match safely.

Chief Inspector Chris Barnes, who is leading the policing operation, 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.”

LFR works by comparing faces captured on a live camera feed against a secure, predetermined watchlist made up of individuals wanted for serious offences, subject to court orders, or who pose a risk to the public or to themselves.

If the system identifies a possible match, a police officer will compare the image on screen with the person in view and decide whether to speak to them. This decision will always be made by an officer, never the technology alone.

If you are not on a watchlist, your biometric data is never stored from passing through the LFR zone of recognition. It is immediately and automatically deleted, ensuring privacy is protected.

Watchlist images are deleted within 24 hours of each deployment, and CCTV footage is deleted within 31 days, the same as standard public cameras.

Dave Lewis, Head of Security and Stadium Safety Officer 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.”

Chief Inspector Chris Barnes added:

“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.”

Merseyside Police began using the technology in December 2025, supported by LFR vans supplied to Greater Manchester Police by the Home Office. 

All LFR deployments are clearly signposted, and details of deployment locations will be published on our website ahead of time.

Find out more information on the Merseyside Police website.

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