BSCC-FOI-1225-HD: attachment to email 4, email to Chief Constable Sarah Crew, Avon & Somerset Police
Updated 12 September 2025
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Attachment to email 4
Chief Constable Sarah Crew
Copied to:
[S40 redaction – personal information]
By e-mail only.
20th April 2022
Dear Sarah
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s Visit to Avon & Somerset Police
Thank you very much for hosting my visit to Avon & Somerset Police on 30th March 2022 and for taking time out to meet with us. Apologies for the delay in our subsequent correspondence.
The primary purpose of the visit was to review compliance with the sections of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA) relevant to the taking, retention and use of DNA, fingerprints and footwear impressions. I also hoped to discuss the wider use of biometric technologies and surveillance cameras systems by Avon & Somerset Police which I was able to do. Thank you for the warm welcome and the hospitality shown by your team throughout the day.
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The following part of this letter contains recommendations to Avon & Somerset Police following the findings made during our visit. If you have any questions about the recommendations or would like further detail on our findings, please do not hesitate to ask.
The following is recommended:
[REDACTED – information out of scope of the request submitted]
6. Emerging Technologies. We heard of the early plans Avon & Somerset Police are making to explore the use of Facial Recognition. The OBSCC recommends that Avon & Somerset Police ensure they engage with the public at all stages of the process, ensuring transparency and clarity and that the force has a good understanding of their communities’ views in relation to the use of this controversial surveillance capability. We will be happy to engage with Avon & Somerset Police throughout this process if that were felt to be beneficial.
[REDACTED – information out of scope of the request submitted]
Yours sincerely,
Professor Fraser Sampson
Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner