A child sex offender, who had previously eluded law enforcement, has been sentenced after being identified through the Metropolitan Police’s Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology in Hackney.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, a police van equipped with LFR on Kingsland High Street in Dalston recognized Mohamed Patel as a suspect in child sex offences.
Law enforcement acted quickly, apprehending him on charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor and attempting to meet a girl under 16 after grooming.
This incident underscores the effectiveness of LFR in enhancing safety in London, as it assists officers in identifying individuals who may pose a threat to women and children. The impact on the community following the murder charge in Lambeth highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
Details of the Sentencing
Patel, 61, residing on Stoke Newington Road in Hackney, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, February 2, where he received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.
Additionally, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a duration of 10 years.
The Metropolitan Police Service continues to deploy LFR in areas of high crime across London, aiding in the capture of wanted individuals.
Since the start of 2024, this technology has played a role in removing over 1,700 offenders from London’s streets, including those sought for serious crimes such as rape and violent offenses.
Official Statements on LFR
Lindsey Chiswick, the Metropolitan Police’s lead on facial recognition, stated:
“The Met is dedicated to enhancing safety in London by utilizing technology to identify offenders who pose a significant risk to our communities. This case exemplifies the critical role of this technology. Without it, Patel could have continued to evade capture and potentially harm more victims.”
“LFR is a powerful and transformative tool that assists us in apprehending dangerous individuals and ensuring justice for victims.”
Background of the Offender
Between March 9, 2020, and August 29, 2020, Patel attempted to communicate with a 12-year-old girl in an online chatroom, making inappropriate inquiries about her clothing and issuing explicit sexual remarks.
He traveled to meet the girl but was instead intercepted and arrested by Metropolitan Police officers.
After a thorough investigation, he was charged on May 30, 2025, with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a minor following grooming.
Patel failed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on June 27, 2025, leading to his being listed as wanted until he was located and arrested through LFR on December 19, 2025.
He pleaded guilty to both charges at Thames Magistrates’ Court on December 20, 2025.
Understanding Live Facial Recognition Technology
LFR technology operates by capturing real-time footage of individuals in public spaces and comparing their facial features against a customized watchlist of wanted suspects.
When a match is identified, the system sends an alert, prompting an officer to review the match and determine whether to engage with the individual.
Officers conduct additional checks, such as examining court orders or other pertinent information, to ascertain if the person is indeed a suspect.
It is important to note that an alert from the LFR system does not guarantee an arrest; officers must decide on the necessity of further action after engaging with the individual.
The Metropolitan Police has established stringent safeguards regarding the use of LFR. For instance, if a member of the public passes by an LFR camera and is not on the wanted list, their biometric data is immediately and permanently erased.
