Last week we hosted Bedroq Sentinel 2025, our Policing Video Analytics & Live Facial Recognition (LFR) Working Group, at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Force HQ. The day brought together forces and agencies from across the UK to share operational experience and strategic insight, network with peers, and explore the evolving role of video analytics and LFR in law enforcement.
We’re grateful to Greater Manchester Police for hosting us, to all the speakers for their taking the time out of their busy schedules to prepare and share their presentations with the attendees, and to every delegate for contributing to such a constructive day.
From the outset, we set out to make this a genuine forum for learning, not a Bedroq sales exercise. Feedback confirmed that this approach resonated with the attendees on the day:
“I really enjoyed the speakers and the use cases for the tech being so relevant. I (and I know others) had been worried that this would be a ‘sales pitch’ and it really didn’t feel like that which was really refreshing and would make me so much more likely to attend – I will also make sure I spread the word that this was the case too as I know others had been hesitant for the same reason.”
Highlights from the day
We heard from a strong line-up of speakers who each added real insight. Chief Superintendent Neil Jones (GMP) opened the day, followed by contributions from Paul Galloway (Cumbria Constabulary) and Dave Clark (GMP), sharing how video analytics are already being put into practice. Nottinghamshire Police’s Technical Manager, Harry Smallwood, addressed the importance of validating video analytics solutions and explained his findings. Mike Cummins (Bedroq) addressed the challenges forces face and the innovative solutions Bedroq have engineered with existing customers to overcome these blockers.
In the afternoon, NEC’s Aryana Tavanai gave a live demonstration of LFR software. Strategic and operational lessons from South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police added further perspective, and the working group wrapped up with an engaging panel Q&A.
The carefully curated content from our speakers throughout the day struck the right balance between realising potential and reaching for ambition, while clearly laying out considerations with a healthy dose of realism.
“Excellent to hear the real developments in this area, and the positive examples of deployment. Also good to hear the challenges and considerations and the reality that the actual deployment is probably not as challenging as the work to get to this point. Impressed by the technology and practical application.
Looking Ahead
We’ve already had some fantastic feedback suggesting that there is a real desire for more working groups – sharing real experiences, learning from engaging speakers, and a space to connect with peers. So, we’re excited to announce that we will be hosting Bedroq Sentinel 2026 around the same time next year.
At Bedroq, our commitment remains the same: to keep these working groups open, practical, and collaborative, so that UK policing can harness video analytics and live facial recognition responsibly and effectively. The working group is just one part of this journey – and judging by the conversations in Manchester, the appetite for further collaboration and learning is stronger than ever.
“Great speakers providing operational experience of delivering both LFR and Video Analytics. Great opportunity to network and create relationships to build on, work together and share ideas.”