A child sex offender who had evaded police and was finally captured following a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) deployment in Hackney has been sentenced.

On Friday, 19 December 2025, an LFR police van operating on Kingsland High Street, Dalston, identified Mohamed Patel as wanted for child sex offences.

Officers moved in swiftly, and he was arrested on suspicion of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming.

The case highlights LFR’s value in making London safer, with the tool helping officers locate those who pose a risk to women and girls.

Patel, 61 (11.04.1964), of Stoke Newington Road, Hackney, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 2 February, where he was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

The Metropolitan Police Service continues to use LFR across London’s crime hotspots, helping officers locate wanted individuals.

Since the beginning of 2024, this technology has contributed to taking more than 1,700 offenders off the streets of London, including those wanted for rape and serious violence.

Lindsey Chiswick, the Met’s lead for facial recognition, said: “The Met is committed to making London safer, using technology to identify offenders that pose a significant risk to our communities.

“This is a prime example of why the technology is vital. Without it, Patel could have continued to evade police and cause further harm to other victims.

“LFR is a powerful and game-changing tool, which is helping us to catch dangerous individuals and deliver justice for victims.”

Between Monday, 9 March 2020 and Saturday, 29 August 2020, Patel attempted to engage in conversation with a 12-year-old girl on an online chatroom.

Patel asked her what type of clothes she wears and made explicit sexual comments towards her.

He eventually travelled to meet the girl. However, instead of the girl, Patel was found and arrested by Met officers.

Following a complex investigation, he was charged on Friday, 30 May 2025 with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16 years of age following grooming.

He failed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 27 June 2025 and was circulated as wanted, before being located by LFR and arrested by officers on Friday, 19 December 2025.

Patel pleaded guilty to both offences at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 20 December 2025.

How does LFR work?

The cameras capture live footage of people passing by and compare their faces against a bespoke watchlist of wanted offenders.

If a match is detected, the system generates an alert. An officer will then review the match and decide if they wish to speak with the individual.

Met officers conduct further checks, such as reviewing court orders or other relevant information, to determine if the person is a suspect.

Importantly, an alert from the system does not automatically result in an arrest – officers make a decision about whether further action is necessary following engagement.

The Met has also implemented robust safeguards in its use of LFR.

For example, if a member of the public walks past an LFR camera and is not wanted by the police, their biometrics are immediately and permanently deleted.