Facial recognition to be used in Cardiff for Beyoncé concert
South Wales Police say the technology will be used to support their management of the event later this evening
Last updated 15th Jun 2024
South Wales Police are deploying 'live facial recognition' tonight to help their enforcement efforts during tonight's Beyoncé concert at the Principality Stadium.
The CCTV will be used by the force in Cardiff City Centre's Queen Street, and say the locations in which it's being used will be clearly marked with signage.
They say the deployment of this technology at tonight's concert isn't a condition of entry, but they'll be actively using it to identify and arrest people if needed.
Back in June 2022, South Wales Police said: "Live Facial Recognition Technology has been deployed on over 70 occasions to include deployment at major events, pop concerts and crime operations.
"This has culminated in 75 persons being identified and arrested for offences including rape and other serious offences."
In regards to tonight's event, they say the deployment of the live facial recognition technology has a specific and limited purpose.
They have revealed the tech will be used: "To support Policing in the identification of persons wanted for priority offences, to support law enforcement including the administration of justice (through arrest of persons wanted on warrant or unlawfully at large/ recall to prison), and to ensure and promote the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons at risk."
The police use strategies like this to prevent and detect crime, and during their last trial, three 'positive IDs' were made, which led to the arrest of two people.
They say if you're not on a watchlist, biometric data is 'immediately and automatically' deleted - and have released an FAQ list regarding the deployment, which is available here.
Passengers coming to and from tonight's event are also encouraged to plan ahead, with services expected to be extremely busy.
Read more here: GWR warn trains will be busy ahead of Beyoncé concert in Cardiff