**Live Facial Recognition will be used at Everton’s game with Manchester United.**
Merseyside Police are set to deploy the technology at the Premier League fixture on Monday (February 23) as part of a wider policing operation.
Designed to keep fans and the public safe, LFR will be in place on approaches to Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of the match.
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.
It 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, an 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.
Anyone who is not on a watchlist will have their biometric data immediately and automatically deleted, ensuring their personal 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.
Everton’s head of security and stadium safety officer Dave Lewis 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.”