Rape suspect arrested using live facial recognition

The 26-year-old was arrested by Project Servator officers assisting the facial recognition vans in Piccadilly Gardens between January 28 and 30, where more than 40,000 faces were scanned and a total of four arrests were made.

The suspect was wanted in connection with a rape committed in Salford in September 2025 and a domestic incident in Oldham in May last year.

He was also detained in connection with theft offences and remains in custody for questioning.

Other arrests include a 55-year-old man on suspicion of theft, a 59-year-old man wanted on recall to prison and breach of sex offender notification requirements, and a 48-year-old man for theft offences.

The vans analyse visual data in real time, sending police an alert if any wanted faces show up (Image: GMP Press Office)

Inspector Jon Middleton said: “This is exactly why we have been using live facial recognition technology – to keep our communities safe, catch wanted suspects and make sure people are adhering to their court conditions.

“This proactive approach allows officers to intervene more quickly before suspects can commit further offences, reducing the risk to the public.

“We will continue to deploy across Greater Manchester to support our neighbourhood policing teams.”

In the first three months of using live facial recognition technology, one in five arrests have been for registered sex offenders.

Live facial recognition vans have been active in Greater Manchester for around three months (Image: GMP Press Office)

The vans visited Bolton in October, stationed in Victoria Square near Knowsley Street.

Around 400k faces have been scanned in the first three months of the facial recognition programme, leading to 105 alerts, 40 arrests and 30 charges.