Sex offender spotted by facial recognition jailed

A sex offender has been locked up after being caught by facial recognition technology in Greater Manchester.

Philip Loxam, 57, from Hazel Grove, Stockport, was detained after being caught by a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology van in Stockport on 12 February.

Loxam was then questioned and detained for a number of offences, including having software on his phone to conceal internet history and having an unregistered second phone. He is the second registered sex offender in Greater Manchester to be jailed after being caught by LFR technology.

Loxam was jailed for 20 months at Manchester Crown Court on 13 March - after admitting to three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Loxam had previously served a 20-month prison sentence in September 2024 for eight breaches of his SHPO.

He is is the second registered sex offender to be jailed after being identified by facial recognition technology in Greater Manchester.

According to Greater Manchester Police, there have been 53 arrests since LFR technology was first deployed by the force in October 2025, 11 of which have been registered sex offenders.

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