Labour mayor David Skaith has pledged to explore the use of facial recognition technology in his Police and Crime Plan 2025-29.

The plan, which sets out the strategic direction of North Yorkshire Police over the next four years, was published today.

It identifies four priority areas: protection and early intervention; protect the public; work with partners; and build stronger communities.

For each of the priorities, the plan sets out a range of objectives that will assess how change is being delivered.

The section on ‘protect the public’ says the mayor will monitor “how CCTV / facial recognition technology can make policing more efficient and bring perpetrators to justice more quickly”.

The cameras, which scan people's faces and compare them with people on watch lists, has been hailed by some as a way to improve policing. But others have concerns about human rights and discrimination.

Conservative Keane Duncan pledged to trial facial recognition technology ahead of last year’s race to be the first Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, which Mr Skaith won with 35% of the vote. 

Mr Duncan, who was second with 27%, said at the time facial recognition technology would “revolutionise the way in which policing is conducted in North Yorkshire". But he declined to comment on Mr Skaith's plan today when approached by the Stray Ferret.

More than 1,600 people and organisations gave suggestions on policing priorities during consultation on the mayor's plan.

Mr Skaith said he had already committed to at least doubling prevention and early intervention commissioned services to help halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

He added: 

You can view Mr Skaith's plan here.