Dozens of people have been banned from clubs and bars around the city centre after the implementation of a facial recognition scheme.

Door staff across seven venues in Southampton have worn latest generation Reveal body-worns cameras, which incorporate facial recognition technology, since the start of a trial period in December 2023.

It enables staff to quickly identify offenders banned from pubs and clubs in the city.

The technology has so far helped bar staff identify banned individuals on 24 occasions, Southampton Business Crime Partnership has revealed.

There are 83 people currently on the 'red card' scheme, which works on the basis of a 'banned from one, banned from all' policy across licensed premises in the GO! Southampton area.

The figures come as the city's Business Improvement District reveals it has secured more funding for the scheme.

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The facial recognition technology was launched at a public consultation at Solent University in November 2023 (Image: Frankie Peck) Operations manager Jade McCauley said: “We’re delighted to be receiving this extra funding.

“We’d like to personally thank PCC Donna Jones, who has supported the facial recognition trial that the Southampton Business Crime Partnership rolled out last year.”

She added: “We are dedicated to ensuring Southampton’s record for being a safe and fun night out continues.”

Southampton retained the Purple Flag award earlier this year for its evening and night time economy.

The coveted award, organised by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM), recognises cities and towns that take measures to ensure their vibrant centres are safe, diverse, vibrant, appealing, well-managed, and offer a positive experience to consumers during the evening.

When announcing the funding, Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “Anti-social behaviour casts a dangerous shadow over many of our communities.

"Severely impacting the quality of life for residents, it also threatens livelihoods and negatively imprints on the wider community as a whole.

“These devastating incidents can often be precursors to more serious criminal offences. By providing this additional funding for diversionary activities and projects, this can be addressed and challenged at the outset.”