Seven men have been arrested after police used facial recognition technology to find potential offenders in Croydon.

On the evening of Thursday, December 7, police used Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology near East and West Croydon train stations.

The deployment was part of a longer-term operation to tackle serious violence in the area.

The deployment was signposted, and local neighbourhood officers spoke with the general public, explaining the operation and handing out leaflets about LFR.

During the operation the Metropolitan Police arrested the following individuals:

• A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape and burglary

• A 19-year-old man was arrested for being wanted on recall to prison for robbery

• A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear for a road traffic offence

• A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of Class A drugs

• A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of fraud • A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and robbery

• A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH

All seven remain in police custody.

Superintendent Mitch Carr of South Area Command Unit, which includes Croydon, said: “This is a fantastic example of precise community-based crime fighting. These seven men were all arrested on suspicion of serious offences which highlights how this technology can be used to keep Londoners safe.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “As part of ongoing work to tackle serious and violent crime in Croydon seven men were arrested for offences including rape, robbery and GBH as a result of the deployment of Live Facial Recognition technology.

“On the evening of Thursday, 7 December Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology was operating close to East and West Croydon train stations.

“During the operation we arrested the following individuals: • A man aged 29 was arrested on suspicion of rape and burglary • A man aged 19 was arrested for being wanted on recall to prison for robbery • A man aged 49 was arrested on suspicion of failing to appear for a road traffic offence • A man aged 40 was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of Class A drugs • A man aged 20 was arrested on suspicion of fraud • A man aged 30 was arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and robbery • A man aged 29 was arrested on suspicion of GBH “All seven remain in police custody.”