One man had been wanted for five years
The facial recognition van near Piccadilly Gardens(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Seven people were arrested after facial recognition cameras were once again deployed by police in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens.
The two vans, supplied by the Home Office for use by police across the north west, were in Piccadilly Gardens and on Market Street in Manchester city centre for three days earlier this week.
There was a total of seven arrests over the three days, with four suspects now charged for various offences. This included one man who had been wanted for five years – since April 2020.
Greater Manchester Police said 18-year-old man wanted in connection with an incident in the Oldham area in May 2025 was arrested on suspicion of possession a firearm, and has since been released pending further investigation.
GMP are continuing with their roll out of using mobile facial recognition units(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
A male in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and remanded to appeared at court on November 21, as well as a further male in his 30s who had been banned from entering the Piccadilly Gardens area and has since been charged for breach of the order.
Live Facial Recognition (LFR) compares a live camera feed of faces against a predetermined watchlist in real-time. It is used to locate persons of interest by generating an alert when a possible match is found.
Inspector Jon Middleton, of Greater Manchester Police said: “These arrests that have led to charges and are exactly why Live Facial Recognition is being used in Manchester and across the north west.
“The technology is about keeping people safe as well as identifying people wanted for criminal offences and locating vulnerable people.
“This proactive approach allows officers to intervene before suspects can commit further offences, reducing the risk to the public.”
The suspects who have since been charged following the arrests made are:
- Dale Hudson, 40, of Abbey Hey Lane, Manchester, was charged for breach of a court order and appeared in court on November 21.
- Jonathan O’Sullivan, 33, of Weller Avenue, Manchester, was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and appeared at court on November 21.
- Yhan Bakabadio, 35, of Baguley Crescent, Prestwich, was charged for breaching a Conditional Behaviour Order and has been bailed to attend court on March 9 next year.