Wed Oct 13, 2021 6:31 am
South Wales Police scrap facial recognition for Swansea City v Cardiff City
The technology has been used in the past to police Welsh football's biggest fixture
North Wales police boss blasts facial recognition technology at matches
South Wales Police will not be using facial recognition technology at the upcoming South Wales derby
South Wales Police have confirmed that facial recognition technology will not be used at this weekend's South Wales derby.
However, the match will still be subject to restrictions, with the derby remaining a 'bubble' fixture.
Fans are set to return to Welsh football's biggest fixture for the first time since January 2020 at the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday, and Cardiff City fans will once again only be able to attend by travelling on designated coaches.
Pick-up points can be chosen by fans upon purchase of their ticket.
All home tickets have now been sold for the game.
But despite being used to police this fixture in the past, it's understood that facial recognition will not be a part of South Wales Police's plans for the afternoon.
It comes on the back of frequent and fervent criticism from fans and civil rights campaigners.
Back in June 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that the use of facial recognition technology by South Wales Police was unlawful, following a legal challenge by civil rights group Liberty and Cardiff resident Ed Bridges.
Bridges' face was scanned while out Christmas shopping in the capital back in 2017, and again at an anti-arms protest outside Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena.
But while the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of Bridges, it also said that the use of facial recognition was proportionate in terms of the interference with human rights as the benefits outweighed the impact on Mr Bridges.
Meanwhile, both sets of fans will need to ensure they have a Covid pass in order to attend the game.
Under new Welsh Government legislation, anyone over the age of 18 attending an event with more than 10,000 people from October 11 must offer proof of full vaccination, or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours.
Fans that have been fully vaccinated can already download their NHS Covid Pass, which will then be presented in the form of a QR code, or alternatively they can obtain a paper copy ahead of the game.
Swansea have confirmed that they will be opening the gates for fans two hours before kick-off, which has been penciled in for 12pm, in a bid to offer any necessary assistance to supporters.
Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:28 am
Maybe their technology cant see past a face mask, shades and a cap ?
The only time the Police will ever scrap something is if it no longer works
Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:40 am
ReesWestonSuperMare wrote:Maybe their technology cant see past a face mask, shades and a cap ?
The only time the Police will ever scrap something is if it no longer works
The reason that they are not using it is because the courts have ruled that the use of it by south wales police is unlawful.
"In June 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that the use of facial recognition technology by South Wales Police was unlawful, following a legal challenge by civil rights group Liberty and Cardiff resident Ed Bridges."