Hi-tech way to keep crowds safe
POLICE are using facial recognition technology at two of the biggest Christmas attractions in Wales.
The software, more commonly used to detect troublemakers at sporting events, will be used at the Winter Wonderlands in Cardiff and Swansea over the coming weeks.
South Wales Police say they will have dedicated patrols throughout the event to help with public safety and safeguarding visitors.
The force, which was the first force in the UK to use the technology, said there would be a specific emphasis on protecting children.
The wonderlands in the Welsh cities attract thousands of visitors every year.
The system compares a live camera feed against a predetermined watch list in order to find those people that are on the list.
Any possible matches are verified by an operator prior to an intervention by officers on the ground.
The system will only recognise those individuals placed on the watch list and each watch list is unique to each event.
Deputy chief constable Richard Lewis said: “The safety and security of the visitors to Winter Wonderland is of the utmost importance.
“The use of the facial recognition technology is part of our suite of measures as we do everything we can with the resources at our disposal.
“Winter Wonderland is an incredible attraction for both Cardiff and Swansea and we want people to feel safe whilst they are there.
“The South Wales Police facial recognition team are there to serve the public and people should feel free to approach them and engage with them.
“I am very confident that the overwhelming majority of the public will welcome the use of this technology and feel safer as a consequence.”