The Metropolitan Police arrested 11 people in Ilford using live facial recognition technology.

The arrests last week were part of a proactive operation aimed at enhancing public safety in Redbridge.

The individuals were wanted for various offences, including criminal damage, rape, possession of an offensive weapon, and assault of an emergency worker.

The force said it uses facial recognition technology to prevent and detect crime, locate wanted individuals, and protect vulnerable people.

The technology has three main applications: live facial recognition, retrospective facial recognition, and operator-initiated facial recognition.

Supt Clare McCarthy, who oversees neighbourhood policing in Redbridge, said: "Seeing the results shows the value of precision policing technology in taking wanted offenders off the streets of Redbridge.

"The technology coupled with local officers patrolling their area is what the community crime fighting is all about.

"We were able to speak to many local people and businesses who supported our use of live facial recognition technology.

"We will continue to target criminals in repeating this and other types of operations in Redbridge."

The Metropolitan Police's policies and accessibility information are available for more details on the use of facial recognition technology.