The Metropolitan Police trialled face recognition technology in Soho, Picadilly Circus & Leicester Central London on Monday in an attempt to get crime rates down, as they have been scaling dramatically in recent months.

Posters were hung to inform the public what was happening and plain-clothed police officers taking part.

Three arrests were made during the operation with one suspect identified as 'wanted for a violent offence'.

The second arrest turned out to be false accusation after further checks where made with the individual.

And the final arrest was not actually flagged by the facial recognition system and was witnessed by the officers themselves whilst the operation was taking place.

The trial is set to take place again on Tuesday. 

“It is well overdue that police drop this dangerous and lawless technology.” - Silkie Carlo (Director of Big Brother Watch).