The new chief constable of Merseyside Police has said he will use technology, including facial recognition, to allow police officers to spend more time on the beat. Rob Carden, who takes up the role on Monday, said forces needed to keep pace with technology – including by being "more agile" in providing information so they could compete with social media.

Mr Carden spent most of his career with the Merseyside force, but moved to Cumbria Constabulary in 2022, where he was promoted to chief constable. He said some change was "inevitable" as he looked to build on the legacy left by predecessor Serena Kennedy at the same time as finding £31 million worth of savings in the next four to five years.

Mr Carden, the national police lead for digital data and technology, said: "Demand has become mo

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