Live facial recognition (LFR) technology will be deployed at Appleby Horse Fair for the first time, aiming to capture individuals who are wanted or known to police. The annual event, held in Cumbria from June 4 to 10, is Europe's largest traditional Gypsy fair and attracts tens of thousands of Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Travellers.
Police Commissioner's Warning
Cumbria Police's Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen released a TikTok video cautioning attendees about the new surveillance measures. In the video, he displayed the state-of-the-art equipment and warned: "What I would say to those individuals who come to Appleby who are wanted or they are known to police, this (LFR) will capture you. You might want to think about whether this is the best place for you to be during that week."
How Live Facial Recognition Works
LFR uses cameras to capture real-time images of faces and compares them against a predetermined watchlist. Cumbria Police compiles a secure watchlist for each deployment, including individuals wanted by police or courts, or those who may pose a risk. If the technology generates an alert, officers verify the match before deciding whether to intervene. Those approached will be given an informational leaflet explaining the process.
Police Justification
Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, gold commander for the fair, stated: "We have large crowds and large numbers of people in quite confined spaces - similar to a football match in some respects. The Live Facial Recognition technology will help us to identify the minority who are either intent on causing trouble or here to commit crime." He added that the technology will be an effective tool for the 2026 event and beyond.
Local Concerns and Policing Operation
The decision to deploy LFR follows complaints from locals who described the fair as increasingly unsettled, with some branding it a "wild west." Cumbria Police have already seized four stolen vehicles as part of pre-fair operations, including a car, two horse boxes, and a wood-chipper. The force advises attendees not to arrive too early and to take extra care when driving horse-drawn bowtops and caravans.
Arrest Statistics
Out of 123 arrests at the 2025 fair, 80 were for drink or drug driving, the highest number in recent years. Officers also issued over 370 Traffic Offence Reports and seized more than 120 vehicles. A vehicle fire at the last event required a multi-agency response, and one man was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Logistics and Weather
Temporary stop-over areas are available in County Durham and Cumbria. Parking restrictions are in place at Murton village green and Church Brough, and Edenside car park is closed until June 9. The weather forecast predicts cooler temperatures and rain. Jubilee Ford, a river crossing heavily used during the event, will be closed due to erosion. Westmorland and Furness Council has set up 30 large bins to manage litter.
