Met uses facial recognition to identify attacker

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police have used facial recognition technology to identify a man suspected of stabbing a bus driver.

The bus driver sustained serious injuries after being stabbed while driving his route in Tower Hamlets.

Using CCTV and facial recognition technology, detectives identified the suspect as Bradley Peek within hours.

Peek saw a man he knew arguing with the bus driver. He joined the confrontation and stabbed the driver.

Peek was arrested and charged with Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent.

The driver suffered a tear to the heart, fractures to seven ribs and a punctured lung.

Peek was sentenced to more than five years in prison for the attack.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, who led the investigation, said: “This was a senseless attack and a huge team effort from officers across the Met to secure justice for the victim.

“The use of facial recognition technology and CCTV footage allowed officers to quickly identify and locate Peek. I would also like to thank colleagues from the Royal London Hospital who performed an emergency operation which ultimately saved the victim’s life.”

Siwan Hayward, director of security, policing and enforcement at TfL, said: “This was an appalling act of violence against our colleague who was just trying to do their job.

“Our staff have the right to do their job without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any violence, aggression or threatening behaviour towards them.

“We will always work with the police to push for the strongest sentences possible for offenders, and we're pleased that the offender has been brought to justice.”