10 arrested and crossbow seized after police use live facial recognition in Croydon
A crossbow was seized and 10 people were arrested on Thursday after police used a live facial recognition (LFR) system to monitor East and West Croydon railway stations.
As a result of 22 alerts by the LFR technology, 10 people were arrested for offences including threats to kill, recall to prison for robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
Officers arrested a 24-year-old man in North End, Croydon, for having a crossbow and a pocket knife.
A 41-year-old man wanted for domestic grievous bodily harm, threats to kill and an assault, and a 46-year-old man wanted for bank fraud were also arrested after being flagged by the facial recognition system.
The technology scans faces of people passing through an area against a watchlist of people wanted by police and sets off an alert when a match is made. An officer will then review the match and decide if they wish to speak with the individual.
The Met said 12 checks were also made on people subject to sexual prevention orders and court-imposed conditions to ensure they were complying with their conditions.
A 32-year-old man was arrested for failing to appear in court for shoplifting. Three men, aged 39, 51 and 45, and one woman, aged 45, were arrested for failing to appear in court for theft.
A 54-year-old man was arrested after breaching his licence conditions in relation to a robbery conviction, a 23-year-old was arrested for failing to appear at court after being charged with possession of an offensive weapon and a 47-year-old man was arrested for failing to appear at court where he faced charges in relation to counterfeit goods.
There were “no false alerts” whilst the system was being used, the Met said.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, in charge of policing Croydon said: “We have been in Croydon today speaking to local people and businesses within our community about yesterday’s LFR operation and are delighted to have their support.
“We understand their concerns about crime in the area and it is good to show the tactics we are using to reduce it.
“I hope this goes some way to reassure them we are committed to listening to them and taking action where we can.”
(Picture: PxHere)
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