Cardiff Visitors Beware!

[Ed P]

According to the Telegraph the automated facial recognition used by Cardiff Police is 92% inaccurate! Out of 2470 potential database matches, 2297 were wrongly identified as criminals.

There is not enough info in the report to do a Bayesian analysis on the data but if the report is accurate woe betide you if your face looks even vaguely like a known criminal. Of course real criminals just use funky glasses 

Obviously May’s “replace beat coppers with technology” fails again!

[PlaneMan]

Should be fun for all the footie fans today then. They were starting to turn up when I was on my way home this morning at 7.30am!

[Richard]

How many of the false IDs were where the wetware had failed to update the log of wanted persons? The last time I read a review of data, which was a while ago, people who had either been arrested or recently cleared were not a high priority for removal from the manual lists so the automatic hardware kept finding matches for them.

I have neither the desire or capacity to visit Cardiff; it is just another big city with crowds and traffic and damn all else to say about the matter. The traffic was horrible years back so another good reason to avoid the city

[blacklion1725]

Richard wrote:

How many of the false IDs were where the wetware had failed to update the log of wanted persons? The last time I read a review of data, which was a while ago, people who had either been arrested or recently cleared were not a high priority for removal from the manual lists so the automatic hardware kept finding matches for them. I have neither the desire or capacity to visit Cardiff; it is just another big city with crowds and traffic and damn all else to say about the matter. The traffic was horrible years back so another good reason to avoid the city

I love Cardiff Richard – great City. Lots of the centre is pedestrianised (so no traffic), lots of places to eat, drink and be merry. I’m not a fan of crowds but as cities go Cardiff is one of my favourite in the UK.

[Ed P]

I think Richard is viewing Cardiff as a car driver, and I think that can blight any city especially if you are not familiar with it. If you go again, just use Park & Ride to take away the strain. A comment that now applies to many other cities.

I must admit that I generally share BL’s viewpoint and I like Cardiff, even the somewhat naff and sanitised Tiger Bay redevelopment. (I remember that area from its somewhat more dangerous Bute Street days when trams and girls in very short dresses cruised the streets).

[blacklion1725]

Fair enough but I think if you drive to any city – park up and use your feet of public transport (definitely applied here in greater London). I know what you mean about Tiger Bay – a bit sterile. Went to Swansea after a long gap two years ago and found that a pleasant spot as well. I believe the Welsh are the most authentc “Britons” as that is where we all legged it when we kept getting invaded! In any case I like Wales – especially South Wales.

[Richard]

We were going to a family holiday location on the coast, perhaps 15 years back and I am not really sure why we were near Cardiff at the time. Travelling >150 miles to a location well beyond those served by buses or trains with a family including a dog and luggage was not an activity for public (putrid?) transport.

Though two out of three of us now have a bus pass, neither I nor our daughter have used them since it was renewed, the bus is just not a usable option for most journeys. The park and ride is sort of OK in Cambridge at least to get to Addenbrooks Hospital, but watch out for the operating times, it is useless in the evening. Our daughter has no putrid sorry public transport, (putrid or otherwise) to get from the train station to work tomorrow Bank Holiday Monday, so must walk to get there for 07:15.

My wife was offered a wait list place for clinics in London with indefinite wait lists or one more accessible place 22 miles across country. London did not get the vote. Spending a whole day travelling for an appointment is not our idea of fun. In the past we travelled to Great Ormond Street (who always managed to lose the patient notes) and other hospitals with the kids; it was grim by train and bus even when we were more mobile.

To me now cities are pretty much all the same Madrid, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, London, (now one of the worst), Cardiff, Bristol, Plymouth, Tokyo, Yokohama, (though we drove there), even Dhaka Bangladesh, big, crowded and unpleasant. Ottawa was a trifle better though we flew there and the transport we needed (a) worked and (b) had helpful staff and friendly people. Washington was OKish, though the taxis were something else and the drivers were a unique breed but someone else was paying.

[Dave Rice]

It’s what I’ve been trying to tell my customers who believe these things (probably because they want to).

In the right environment facial recognition is coming on leaps and bounds, I’ve seen it. But in crowds with partial and side on shots, no.

[Bob Williams]

Richard I don’t know what Vancouver is like now, but I visited it in ’80 or ’81 (**** memory!) and it was a fascinating place. Because it is a Fraser River Delta, it is separated by many bridges and the separate islands have created different communities. I drank Molson beer in English bay and watched a TV game of Chelsea v. Spurs, eating fish and chips out of a newspaper. (a huge and delicious Pacific Cod). That was part of a tour of BC, but after 10 days of huge distances, a different Motel every night and being sick of driving a Nissan, we retired to the City. The Canadian people were very friendly and once they knew we were Brits, we got a great welcome.

The only blackspot came when my mate was challenged by armed street cops (not RCMP) to open his coat. Apparently he had a resemblance to a wanted man. After the realisation that we were not gangsters, the cops asked why I was smiling: “Because my mate is the mildest, most law-abiding guy you could meet. I’m the one with a British conviction, now off the record.” They gave us a lift to the club we wanted to visit, told the door staff we were OK. Appearances can be deceptive…

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[The Duke]

Cardiff is the best footballing day out city bar non. Even better when a rugby trip, as the Cardiff city nobheads don’t decide to come and fight.

But Cardiff is just great, thr ground right inside a create small city. Also I’ve not seen Liverpool lose there. Love it.

Ive been once by car, my dad died there, and iirc Penarth road, seems to be 300miles long, and traffic was terrible. Though it was a short walk into town for a pint.

Gotta take the rough with the smooth.

Never got to the bay, usually drinking footy and more drinking, but here good things about the place. Only real issue I have, ironic considering I live in Wales, is it’s a bitch to get to from the north.

I’d love cup final day to go back there. Some great memories of a younger me. Old Wembley was poor, new Wembley is worse.

[Bob Williams]

Steve, you didn’t go M55 did you? When I was touring Wales, (usually Tenby- based), I went up or down the A470 all the way.

I know Tenby is further West, but if there are problems on the A55 it is a mess.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[blacklion1725]

Bob Williams wrote:

Steve, you didn’t go M55 did you? When I was touring Wales, (usually Tenby- based), I went up or down the A470 all the way. I know Tenby is further West, but if there are problems on the A55 it is a mess.

Duke I know what you mean – done two play off finals at Cardiff – lost the first to Palace won the second vs Preston – both great days out – 2nd better of course Was in mexico in a pub full of scousers when we lost the cup final there in 2006 after our dopey Argie full back set up Stevie G instead of letting the ball run out. Was the only hammer in there but your lot looked after me after the game. Cardiff is WAY better than new Wembley. If your as old as me old Wembley is fantastic even though it was terrible – had some great daye there.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

I spent 6 years walking around the west end of London in the nineties when I was a service engineer for Mercury Communications. We only covered the W1 post code so the four of us had a small base in Poland St and traveled everywhere by bus, tube or foot.

I was only stopped by the cops once in that time and it was to ask if I had seen someone in a photo they showed me. They already knew who I was !

[blacklion1725]

Wheels-Of-Fire wrote:

I spent 6 years walking around the west end of London in the nineties when I was a service engineer for Mercury Communications. We only covered the W1 post code so the four of us had a small base in Poland St and traveled everywhere by bus, tube or foot. I was only stopped by the cops once in that time and it was to ask if I had seen someone in a photo they showed me. They already knew who I was !

Wheels mate – I used to work for them (field maintenance)  – started 1986 and left 1994. Started in Dock Street (Wapping) and also worked at Southwark and Chart Street. Was a lunatic place to work for the first few years as telecoms had just been deregulated – anarchy- no health and safety – more overtime than you could do, no training and trying to park my van wherever round the City and West End – my favourite job ever.

[The Duke]

I was young when I went Wembley, about 12, it was to watch the challenge cup final.

At that time I’d only ever been, Anfield, Gooderson and Naughton park. All really different today (except Wooderson), and entering Wembley and there being shops, bars, and all sorts under the stands was mind blowing.

We got beat but it was a good (long) day out. Though I’ve never heard anyone have anything good to say about a Wembley day out. I don’t thin the stadium was to blame, more it’s location, or rather distance from any good watering holes.

As a kid, we got a couch, parked outside, then straight back on for home. But today on away trips, I like to usually get a travel lodge./premier inn, on the day of the game, drive down before it, feed, pint or three, game, then town. So I’d love to be back in Cardiff.

Great day out. I’d stay two nights for a Cardiff cup final. For a Wembley trip, I’d probably stay the night before the game if at all.

Wouldn’t mind a weekend in Kiev in about 3 weeks time ? just hope we don’t get embarrassed!

[blacklion1725]

The Duke wrote:

I was young when I went Wembley, about 12, it was to watch the challenge cup final. At that time I’d only ever been, Anfield, Gooderson and Naughton park. All really different today (except Wooderson), and entering Wembley and there being shops, bars, and all sorts under the stands was mind blowing. We got beat but it was a good (long) day out. Though I’ve never heard anyone have anything good to say about a Wembley day out. I don’t thin the stadium was to blame, more it’s location, or rather distance from any good watering holes. As a kid, we got a couch, parked outside, then straight back on for home. But today on away trips, I like to usually get a travel lodge./premier inn, on the day of the game, drive down before it, feed, pint or three, game, then town. So I’d love to be back in Cardiff. Great day out. I’d stay two nights for a Cardiff cup final. For a Wembley trip, I’d probably stay the night before the game if at all. Wouldn’t mind a weekend in Kiev in about 3 weeks time ? just hope we don’t get embarrassed!

Duke got some great memories of old (proper) Wembley – few lively ones against the Jocks – but the game  that makes me laugh the most is we played Columbia (late 80s I reckon) there was a transport strike and Wembley was empty. There was a Columbia fan who looked and dressed like Che Guevara stood silent all game on the terrace behind us. When we scored my mate just grabbed him and jumped up and down with him – and the bloke let his stern face slip in to a smile for a few seconds.

I also remember the fact that the khazis were so grim/few/far away that people just went down the terrace or the top of the stairs – you needed waders to get out dry.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

Black lion

I joined the buisness systems (AKA Telephone rentals) devision of Mercury in 91 and out main office was in nine elms Vauxhall. It was also the best job I have ever had and stayed that way until my devision was sold to siemens. We operated as a seperate company out of dock st for a year and then we were merged into Siemens old Baily office. Siemens decided to cut the work force and give us all cars. I got W1 and W2 post codes with a car !

[blacklion1725]

Wheels-Of-Fire wrote:

Black lion I joined the buisness systems (AKA Telephone rentals) devision of Mercury in 91 and out main office was in nine elms Vauxhall. It was also the best job I have ever had and stayed that way until my devision was sold to siemens. We operated as a seperate company out of dock st for a year and then we were merged into Siemens old Baily office. Siemens decided to cut the work force and give us all cars. I got W1 and W2 post codes with a car !

Blimey – three of my mates ran the stores out of Nine Elms (JK,SB, PB) – we probably never met – but small world none the less. SB passed far too young (RIP) but JK is an old mate (his brother is my best mate) and I had a drink with him Saturday – gave me the winner of the 2000 Guineas.

 

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