The $30 million toe in the water

The annual Appleby Horse Fair has brought thousands of travellers to the market town of Appleby, Cumbria, forcing businesses to close due to fears of overcrowding and crime. The fair, which attracts around 10,000 travellers and over 30,000 other visitors, has seen a number of incidents, including allegations of a youth threatening a local person with an axe, stolen vehicles, and children riding recklessly on horse and carts.

Cumbria Police have introduced live facial recognition technology (LFR) at the fair in an effort to crackdown on troublemakers. However, the move was met with anger from many travellers who claim they are being singled out for their race by the AI-powered cameras which scan faces and check if they are wanted or known by police before flagging their whereabouts to the force.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

The introduction of LFR at the Appleby Horse Fair has sparked controversy, with some travellers accusing the police of targeting them for their race. This is not the first time that the fair has seen clashes between the police and the traveller community. In 2024, a similar incident occurred in Sydney, where a group of travellers were accused of being involved in a violent clash with the police.

The fair, which has been held annually in Appleby for over 200 years, has a long history of attracting thousands of travellers from across the country. However, in recent years, the fair has become increasingly popular, with many visitors coming from outside the UK.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

The exact number of travellers who have arrived in Appleby for the fair is unknown, but it is estimated that around 10,000 have made the journey. The fair is a major economic boost for the local community, with many businesses relying on the influx of visitors to make a living.

However, the fair has also been the subject of controversy in recent years, with some critics accusing the police of being too heavy-handed in their approach to maintaining order. The introduction of LFR at the fair has only added to the tensions, with many travellers feeling that they are being unffairly targeted by the police.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

The Appleby Horse Fair has a long history of attracting thousands of travellers from across the country. However,in recent years, the fair has become increasingly popular, with many visitors coming from outside the UK. This has led to concerns about overcrowding and crime, with some businesses in the area choosing to close for the duration of the fair.

The fair has also seen a number of incidents in recent years, including a major crash in 2019 that left several people injured. The crash was caused by a combination of factors, including speeding and reckless driving.

The police have been working to prevent such incients from happening again, with the introduction of LFR being one of the measures they have taken. however, the move has been met with anger from many travellers, who feel that they are being unfairly targeted by the police.