A man who stabbed a London bus driver in Tower Hamlets last year has been jailed for five years after police identified him with the help of facial recognition technology.  

The attack took place in June last year when Bradley Peek, 20, from Stepney Green, joined a friend on Commercial Road in Stepney, who was arguing with the bus driver. Peek brought out a knife and stabbed the victim, who was later found injured in Arbour Square.

The middle aged driver suffered a punctured lung, a tear in the heart and seven fractured ribs.  Police said the man’s life was saved by medical staff at the Royal London Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Police identified Peek within hours of the attack by using facial recognition technology and CCTV images and he was arrested. At Snaresbrook Crown Court last month he pleaded guilty to attacking the driver and was jailed for five years.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, who led the investigation, said in a statement: “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.”

The police’s use of facial recognition technology is controversial. Read Eastlondonlines’ Word on the Street on facial recognition to find out what locals think.