Police slammed for 'Orwellian overreach' as facial recognition cameras wrongfully identifies 59-year-old man The man has been scared to leave his home following the incident Don't Miss Most Read The police have been called upon to reveal how facial recognition cameras are being used after a 59-year-old was wrongfully arrested because of the technology. Colin McMahon was accused of stealing £300 worth of furniture from Ikea after he was flagged by the scanner in public last year. He was handcuffed on Harlesden High Street by the Metropolitan Police following cameras linking him with an offence that took place in February 2025. Mr McMahon was eventually acquitted by magistrates earlier this year after it was revealed he had actually been running an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting 10 miles away at the time of the theft. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Following the revelations, Big Brother Watch has urged police to be transparent about the use of facial recognition software. Jack Coulson told GB News: “It used to be 'computer says no', now it's 'computer says arrest'. “The police are making up their own rules and experimenting on the public. “This is not about keeping the public safe from the most dangerous criminals. A man spent being accused of a crime he did not commit due to being wrongfully identified by a facial recognition camera |GETTY “An innocent man has been dragged to the dock for decor. “We are calling on the police to come clean about how many innocent people they have put onto watchlists and how many they have incorrectly arrested. “A moratorium is needed until the government steps-in with legislation to protect the British public from this Orwellian overreach.” Mr McMahon had been in a meeting regarding a homeless charity project last October when he was arrested moments after leaving.