Harlow: Live Facial Recognition and OpenGate deployed in town centre

Harlow Community Policing Team have continued their work to drive down violent crime by using a mobile weapon detector and Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in the town centre.

Thanks to funding from Harlow Council, the team now have an OpenGate system which is specifically designed to detect dense metal objects. Last weekend, this led directly to the discovery of a man carrying a knife.

The latest deployment of two LFR vans led to the arrest on an outstanding suspect for domestic violence, a community resolution being issued for theft, three stop searches and two pieces of intelligence being submitted.

The Community Policing Team (CPT) have also been carrying out frequent patrols of the town’s hotspot policing zone where data analysis shows incidents of violence are more likely.

In the past 12 months, crime is down across Harlow by 12.5% with 1,350 fewer offences committed than in the previous year. Incidents of violence against a person are down by 8% and sexual offences are down by 9%.

The Stow in Harlow is also the site of the county’s Clear, Hold, Build project, which has led to crack down on gang activity with 15 individuals currently serving prison sentences or remanded in custody.

Inspector Leanne Archer of Harlow CPT said her team are creating a hostile environment for anyone intent on causing trouble:

“Reducing violent crime is a priority for us and by maintaining a highly visible presence in the town centre and using new technology like the OpenGate and Live Facial Recognition we are sending a very clear message: if you’re violent or carrying weapons in Harlow, we will hunt you down and arrest you.

“We have a strong relationship with the council as part of the community safety partnership and we work closely with referral agencies and youth services. We are engaging with and educating young people to help them make better choices and by having difficult conversations about knife crime, we are breaking down barriers and giving them the confidence to come to us if they have concerns.

“We are also working local charities such as Streets 2 Homes, Phoenix Futures and Changing Pathways to help people deal with long-term issues and divert them away from lifestyles that might lead to offending or reoffending.

“We get a very positive response from the public when we are on patrol in the town. We want people to feel safe and if they witness incidents of criminal or anti-social behaviour, we want them to report to us.”

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