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The first arrest using new facial recognition software has been made.

South Wales Police has become the first force in the UK to use the equipment.

The first arrest was made on Wednesday but it was not related to the Champions League final.

Real-time cameras linked to facial recognition software will monitor people in and around the city centre.

The images will be use identify people who exist on pre-determined watch lists, usually used for terrorists and hooligans. It will also be used to monitor to ticket touts.

(Image: Peter Bolter)

The force has also been given funding for a separate trial of software that enables them to cross reference CCTV images and other picture with their database of 500,000 custody images.

Police vehicles have been spotted around the city labelled as using "facial recognition".

South Wales Police 's senior officer in charge of the event has previously said it will be a major test of the equipment.

A police spokeswoman said: "The facial recognition technology is currently being tested as proof of concept, in order to determine its potential and feasibility within a challenging, real-world policing environment.



"The UCL has clearly provided a perfect testing ground. While early indications are proving positive, we will continue to develop our understanding of its capabilities and its limitations.



"South Wales Police has made significant progress in the development of its technology in the past 18 months, and that work is only set to continue as we strive to ensure we arm our officers with the very best technology commercially available – providing the public benefit is both proven and justifiable.





"The technology will be tested in a variety of circumstances and location in the months to come, assisting in our assessment of the viability of the project moving forward".

Chief Superintendent Jon Edwards previously said: “South Wales Police has secured funding from the Home Office to develop automated facial recognition technology for policing.

"The UEFA Champions League finals in Cardiff give us a unique opportunity to test and prove the concept of this technology in a live operational environment, which will hopefully prove the benefits and the application of such technology across policing.

“This will be one of the largest security operations ever undertaken in the Welsh capital and the use of technology will support the policing operation which aims to keep people safe during what will be a very busy time in Cardiff.”

It is one of a whole range of security measures being used by police in the city ahead of tomorrow's final.

On Saturday, 2,000 officers will be on the streets of Cardiff and officers have been brought in from across the country to help.

Counter-terrorism measures have been put in place with road blocks and barriers deployed across the city.

Checks have also been made by officers of all drains, manholes and even lampposts.

Car parks in the city centre have been closed and a huge fence will be built on Westgate Street.