A 73-year-old man named David Cheneler was recently caught with a six-year-old girl in Camberwell, south London, thanks to facial recognition technology. The girl’s mother had no idea about Cheneler’s past as a registered sex offender until he was identified by a police van using Live Facial Recognition (LFR) in January.
Caught in the Act
The incident took place on January 10th when cameras using LFR technology alerted the authorities about Cheneler’s presence in the area. Further investigations revealed that he had violated his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by being alone with a child under 14. To make matters worse, Cheneler was also found with a lock knife concealed in the buckle of his belt. Consequently, he was promptly arrested and taken into custody.
Uncovering the Truth
Lindsey Chiswick, the Metropolitan Police’s LFR lead, highlighted the importance of such technology in preventing potential harm. She emphasized that LFR is not only used to locate wanted individuals but also to monitor those with specific conditions they must follow. In this case, Cheneler’s actions could have led to serious consequences if left undetected. Detective Constable Adam Pearce expressed concern that without the intervention of LFR, Cheneler might have continued to pose a threat to the child. Cheneler’s sentencing to two years in prison by Kingston Crown Court serves as a stark reminder of the dangers he posed.
Lessons Learned
The incident involving David Cheneler serves as a stark reminder of the importance of advanced technology in law enforcement. The use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) played a crucial role in identifying a registered sex offender in the act of breaching his restrictions. Without this technology, Cheneler might have continued his harmful actions unchecked. It also sheds light on the vulnerability of individuals who unknowingly trust those with hidden criminal backgrounds. The case underscores the need for vigilance and the utilization of all available tools to protect vulnerable members of society from potential harm.
