Norfolk Constabulary announced on February 13, 2026, that it will introduce live facial recognition technology in Norwich, Norfolk, to help identify suspects in public places. The police force plans to use the cameras throughout the year in town centres, busy walking areas, transport stations, and at major community events to help find people wanted for crimes.
The technology works by using cameras to scan the faces of people in a crowd and comparing them to a specific list of individuals who are wanted or pose a risk to the public. According to Suffolk Constabulary, images of people who do not match anyone on the list are deleted automatically and immediately. The police say this tool is highly accurate and will speed up the process of making arrests and completing investigations.
Similar equipment was used in 2025 by the police in Suffolk, who reported that the technology was 100 per cent accurate and led to eight arrests at two major events. The Home Office is also testing a national service to match faces as part of a plan to expand police technology across the country during 2026.
The decision to use the cameras has been met with concerns from privacy groups like Big Brother Watch, who argue the change amounts to mass surveillance. A legal challenge against the use of facial recognition technology was heard in the High Court in January 2026, involving anti-knife crime worker Shaun Thompson.
Residents in Norwich will see new signs in areas where the cameras are being used to let them know the technology is in operation. Police and Crime Commissioner Sarah Taylor is responsible for overseeing the police budget and how this technology is used in the local community.
