Key facts
- Police will use live facial recognition technology at Appleby Horse Fair.
- This is the first time the technology will be deployed at the event.
- Hundreds of travelers are arriving for the fair.
- Local businesses are boarding up due to fears of overcrowding and crime.
- The fair runs until June 10.
Police are set to deploy live facial recognition technology at Appleby Horse Fair for the first time. Hundreds of travelers have been seen arriving in horse-drawn wagons ahead of the historical horse trading event, which begins tomorrow and will run until June 10. Thousands of travelers make the annual pilgrimage to the market town for the event, which typically occurs in the first week of June. Videos often surface online showing travelers preparing for the fair by riding in their horse-drawn wagons. Pictures show caravans in a long queue of traffic in the market town where travelers will spend the next six days showing off their horses and trading them for cash. Fears of overcrowding and crime have once again forced shops and restaurants to close for the six day event which attracts around 10,000 travelers.