Facial Recognition Identifies Sex Offender in Breach of Child Protection Order
Facial recognition technology deployed by Metropolitan Police identified and led to the arrest of a registered sex offender, David Cheneler, who was in breach of a child protection order while accompanying a six-year-old girl collected from school. The system flagged him on a watchlist of offenders on January 10, 2025, preventing potential harm to the child.
What happened
On January 10, 2025, Metropolitan Police officers in London stopped David Cheneler, 73, on the street after live facial recognition technology flagged a match with a watchlist of offenders.
Cheneler was in the company of a six-year-old girl he had collected from school. He was carrying a lock knife hidden in his belt buckle and was in breach of a 2019 sexual offences prevention order prohibiting him from being alone with any child under 14.
Reported impact
According to the Metropolitan Police, Cheneler had collected the child from school on three occasions as a favour to her mother, with whom he had formed a relationship. Detective Constable Adam Pearce stated: 'Although there were no allegations made towards David Cheneler on this occasion, we are certain if he hadn't been identified' through facial recognition, he could have gone on to abuse the child.
Index analysis
The facial recognition system successfully identified Cheneler by matching him against a watchlist of registered sex offenders, leading to his immediate apprehension.
Governance controls
Detective Constable Adam Pearce stated: 'This is a prime example of how the Met is using technology to remove dangerous offenders from our streets, and live facial recognition remains an important tool in protecting Londoners.'
Cheneler was sentenced to two years at Kingston Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching the terms of his sexual offences prevention order and possessing an offensive weapon.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.