Live facial recognition cameras have detected a number of wanted people attempting to enter Reading Festival, Thames Valley Police has said.
The force said one of those identified was wanted on a warrant in connection with what it described as “prolific retail crime offences”.
The technology is being used at the festival as part of the policing operation for the three-day event.
Thames Valley Police said the cameras compare faces captured on a live feed against a pre-determined watchlist.
It said the watchlist specifically includes wanted individuals and known offenders, including people wanted by other police forces.
The force also sought to reassure festival-goers about how the technology is used.
It said footage of people who do not generate a match is automatically deleted and that no data is stored.
Where a potential match is identified, officers approach the individual to verify their identity.
Police said every potential match is reviewed and checked by a human before any action is taken.
The force described Live Facial Recognition as an “important tool” in helping to keep people attending Reading Festival safe.
Reading Festival, at Richfield Avenue, attracts tens of thousands of people each year and has a large policing operation during the event.
Thames Valley Police has published further information about its use of Live Facial Recognition technology.
